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ID #SA1228479
FOR SALE
£1,800
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A Rare Ming Dynasty Bronze Nested Qilin Scholar's Seal Set (16th–17th Century)
Sandbanks Antiques
for sale €2,106     $2,286
£1,800
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2025
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    Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné
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A Rare Ming Dynasty Bronze Nested Qilin Scholar's Seal Set (16th–17th Century)

16th century
Description

A Rare Ming Dynasty Bronze Nested Qilin Scholar's Seal Set (16th–17th Century)

Period & Date: Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), 16th–17th Century

Dimensions: Width: 2.7 cm | Height: 5 cm

Weight: 146 grams

A magnificent and exceptionally rare Chinese scholar's nested bronze seal set from the Ming dynasty (16th–17th century). The outer square base is surmounted by a powerful Qilin with characteristic scrolling tail and muscular stance, ingeniously designed to house a smaller matching seal nested securely within. The piece exhibits a rich, deep-seated historical patination with warm copper highlights glowing through a dark oxidized skin and subtle verdigris in the recesses, showcasing the exceptional weight (146g) and casting quality characteristic of the period.

Declaration

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Chinese Bronze Scholar Seal to the 16th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1228479
Description
A Rare Ming Dynasty Bronze Nested Qilin Scholar's Seal Set (16th–17th Century)

Period & Date: Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), 16th–17th Century

Dimensions: Width: 2.7 cm | Height: 5 cm

Weight: 146 grams

“
A magnificent and exceptionally rare Chinese scholar's nested bronze seal set from the Ming dynasty (16th–17th century).
Sandbanks Antiques

The outer square base is surmounted by a powerful Qilin with characteristic scrolling tail and muscular stance, ingeniously designed to house a smaller matching seal nested securely within. The piece exhibits a rich, deep-seated historical patination with warm copper highlights glowing through a dark oxidized skin and subtle verdigris in the recesses, showcasing the exceptional weight (146g) and casting quality characteristic of the period.

Date of Manufacture

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Chinese Bronze Scholar Seal to the 16th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1228479
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2025

Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sandbanks Antiques Profile Page

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A cast bronze Chinese seal featuring a qilin finial resting atop a square base with reddish brown patination.
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Archive I A cast bronze Chinese seal featuring a qilin finial resting atop a square base with reddish brown patination.

A Rare Ming Dynasty Bronze Nested Qilin Scholar's Seal Set (16th–17th Century)

Archive II A cast bronze Chinese seal featuring a qilin finial resting atop a square base with reddish brown patination. View II
Archive III A cast bronze Chinese seal featuring a qilin finial resting atop a square base with reddish brown patination. View III
Archive IV A cast bronze Chinese seal featuring a qilin finial resting atop a square base with reddish brown patination. View IV
Archive V A cast bronze Chinese seal featuring a qilin finial resting atop a square base with reddish brown patination. View V
Archive VI A cast bronze Chinese seal featuring a qilin finial resting atop a square base with reddish brown patination. View VI
Archive VII A cast bronze Chinese seal featuring a qilin finial resting atop a square base with reddish brown patination. View VII
Archive VIII A cast bronze Chinese seal featuring a qilin finial resting atop a square base with reddish brown patination. View VIII
Archive IX A cast bronze Chinese seal featuring a qilin finial resting atop a square base with reddish brown patination. View IX
Archive X A cast bronze Chinese seal featuring a qilin finial resting atop a square base with reddish brown patination. View X
Archive XI A cast bronze Chinese seal featuring a qilin finial resting atop a square base with reddish brown patination. View XI
Archive XII A cast bronze Chinese seal featuring a qilin finial resting atop a square base with reddish brown patination. View XII
Archive XIII A cast bronze Chinese seal featuring a qilin finial resting atop a square base with reddish brown patination. View XIII
Archive XIV A cast bronze Chinese seal featuring a qilin finial resting atop a square base with reddish brown patination. View XIV
Archive XV A cast bronze Chinese seal featuring a qilin finial resting atop a square base with reddish brown patination. View XV
Enlarged Archival View
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques
Telephone 07889 139677
Location
Sandbanks
Poole
Dorset
United Kingdom

By appointment only in Poole or London.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified Since Jan 2025
Items For Sale 174
Items Sold 79
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Verified Since Jan 2025
View Dealer Info
Location: Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom, , By appointment only in Poole or London.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified
Jan 2025
For Sale
174
Sold
79
A cast bronze Chinese seal featuring a qilin finial resting atop a square base with reddish brown patination.
A Rare Ming Dynasty Bronze Nested Qilin Scholar's Seal Set (16th–17th Century)
Ref: SA1228479
A cast bronze Chinese seal featuring a qilin finial resting atop a square base with reddish brown patination.
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FAQs

A scholars seal, or chop, is a traditional Chinese printing stamp used by literary figures, artists, and officials to mark documents, artwork, and calligraphy with personal or official names.

Traditional bronze seals were hand-cast using the lost-wax or piece-mould technique, utilizing copper alloys that developed natural patination, verdigris, and surface oxidisation over centuries.

Authentic Ming dynasty bronze seals typically exhibit cast details with soft wear, a distinct physical weight, signs of hand-finishing, and genuine layered surface patination from age rather than chemical distressing.

A bronze scholars seal serves as a focal accent object placed on an office desk, layered atop art volumes on a bookshelf, or displayed inside a glass cabinet.

Maintain antique bronze items by dusting regularly with a soft, dry microfibre cloth, keeping them in a humidity-controlled environment, and avoiding harsh polish or chemical agents that strip historical surface patination.
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