Ancient Chinese Prince's Turtle Seal--Translated! WO (03/06/2011)...

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Ancient Chinese Prince's Turtle Seal--Translated! WOW!

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Ancient Chinese Prince's Turtle Seal--Translated! WOW!

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Sold Date: 03/06/2011
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

Houghton USA

Ancient Art, Antiques, & Fine Collectables

Ancient Chinese Prince's Turtle Seal

circa Han Dynasty (206 BC—220 AD)

Over 2,000 Years Old with English Translation!!

This ancient Chinese Official's Turtle Seal is made of stone and is in perfect condition and is absolutely amazing! The seal measures approximately 1.34" (34 mm) square, and is 1.5" high (38 mm) and is engraved on the bottom and on one side with ancient Chinese characters, which I have translated into English! The seal is made of a very hard stone, possibly jade, but I'm not positive. It weighs about 3.5 ozs. (100 grams).

The seal has the figure of a Turtle or Tortise on the top. In ancient Chinese mythology, the Turtle was one of 4 spiritual creatures that also guarded the direction North, the Winter season, as well as the color black, and water. The Tortise, also known in China as the "Black Warrior." In addition, the Turtle was also a sign of longivity and it's outer shell was used in ancient rituals by the Emperor to communicate with the gods and with one's ancestors.

The Ancient Chinese characters were made in a style called Ku-wen and that style is approximately 2,000 to 3,000 years old. The style of characters that was used to create this seal helps experts to date this piece to the Han Dynasty. In addition, the patina on the seal is wonderful and certainly indicates very old carving. T he seal has a beautiful, dark, golden-brown color.

English Translation of Ancient Chinese

What makes this ancient Seal really unique is the amazing characters or words that were carved in deep relief into it over 2,000 years ago. The old style, Chinese Ku-wen Charaters may be somewhat difficult to see in photos # 1, 4, & 5, but they are very crisp and clear in person and are typical of the Han Dynasty period in Ancient China. Here is my best translation of the two ancient characters that can be found on the bottom (see photo # 1) of this Tortise seal:

"A Superior Official [the Prince] has applied the Law and Divides the Grain [millet] that has been Grown on 8 square lots of fields . His actions Support the Heavens."

On one side of the seal, there are 3 Chinese Characters that have been carved into the stone seal. These charcters are faint, but I believe they translate into English as follows:

"The Prince equally Divides the Grain for the 3 Powers--Heaven, Earth, Humanity."

This seal would have been used by a senior official, a Prince in the Emperor's Court, to signify the official had seen and approved of the agricultural tribute each farmer would have to pay the Emperor and the Gods. The tribute would be in the form of millet, the most universally accepted grain that was used as one of the main food staples in Ancient China and also as literally a "cash crop." The millet would have been secured in large, Imperial granaries. This seal would likely have been entombed with the Prince upon his burial to ensure the Gods took note of his high, official rank with the Emperor, who was considered the Son of Heaven. In the afterlife, it was believed that the Prince would need to use this seal in his official Heavenly duties.

What a super piece of ancient Chinese History that you can own!!

Details

Any man carring such a seal would have been instantly recognizable by his rank and given the highest respect and honor commensurate with this high Imperial position. In life or in death, this ritual symbol of the officials rank in ancient China would have impressed and perhaps even intimidated all on Earth and perhaps in Heaven who saw it. This seal would have most certainly been buried with the Official at the time of his entombment.

I have carefully examined this seal under 10x magnification and it also shows authentic and original signs of weathering and ground contact that help to further authenticate it as an ancient piece. It has been made with authentic hand tools that date to a...