A fine white jade seal. 19th Century

The massive seal carved with a double dragon finial, the base bearing an inscription in Manchu and a twenty-character inscription in Chinese (Xiao mu wen hou zhuang xiao duan cheng ge hui kuan qin fu tian su sheng cheng huang hou zhi bao ) recording the posthumous title granted to the dead wife of the Daoguang emperor after he assumed the throne in 1820; together with a pieced wood cover and stand, the cover combining pieces of Japanese lacquer with colored stone overlays of 'one hundred antiques' themes. 4 x 4 1/2in (10 x 11.5cm) square. Estimate: $30,000 - 50,000

Bonhams. Fine Asian Works of Art, 29 Jun 2009. 220 San Bruno Avenue, San Francisco www.bonhams.com