Qing Dynasty Guangxu Third Year Bronze Official Seal of Dengzhou Confucian School with Manchu-Chinese Inscription (1877)

拍品描述

Dimensions: Seal base 9 cm × 9 cm (3.5 in. × 3.5 in., 0.30 ft × 0.30 ft), total height 9 cm (3.5 in., 0.30 ft), weight 1073 g (2.37 lb); 19th century, Qing Dynasty official seal, Guangxu period. Condition and Provenance: Excellent condition. The bronze body, square base, and cylindrical handle are well preserved. The surface retains a deep bronze patina, with natural signs of use and history. Vermilion ink marks are still visible on the seal surface, and the inscription and seal script decorations are clearly visible. Provenance: Private collection, New York, USA. Description: This Qing Dynasty official seal is cast in bronze, with a square base and cylindrical handle. The seal is 9 cm long and wide, 9 cm high, and weighs 1073 g. It is an important administrative artifact printed by the Ministry of Rites of the Qing Dynasty for the Dengzhou Confucian Academy. The seal, inscribed with official documents and date markings, and employing the standard Manchu-Chinese bilingual seal style, is a precious example of Qing Dynasty local educational administrative artifacts. The thick bronze casting is finely crafted, with a deep brown, aged patina. Natural wear and subtle signs of use are visible on the surface, exuding a rustic charm honed by time. The seal is inscribed with the year Guangxu III, and the top bears the inscription "Dengzhou Confucian Academy, Ministry of Rites" along with the corresponding Manchu text, clearly indicating its official status. The front of the seal adopts the format of Qing Dynasty administrative seals, including a double-sided design, the traditional nine-character seal, and Manchu script. Residual traces of deep red cinnabar in the imprint clearly demonstrate its historical use. The Dengzhou Confucian Academy was an educational institution under the local government, responsible for Confucian rituals, scholar education, and imperial examinations. This seal, with its complete inscription and formal format, holds significant historical importance, representing a crucial fusion of Chinese epigraphy, the Qing Dynasty bureaucratic system, and local cultural history.

图片