A massive imperial white jade 'xintian zhuren' seal. Qing dynasty, Qianlong period

A massive imperial white jade 'xintian zhuren' seal. Qing dynasty, Qianlong period. photo courtesy Sotheby's

of large square form, surmounted by a superbly carved pair of addorsed dragons, each powerfully carved with eyes bulging and nostrils flaring above curling whiskers and a jaw bearing sharp fangs, the scales and flowing mane meticulously incised, the two scaly bodies tightly intertwined and crouching on the haunches, pierced through the centre with an aperture, the square seal deeply and crisply carved with the characters Xintian zhuren ('The Ruler Who Believes in Heaven'), the stone of a green-tinged milky-white tone with natural veining; 12.9 cm., 5 1/8 in. Estimate 25,000,000—30,000,000 HKD. Lot Sold 121,620,000 HKD

PROVENANCE: Sotheby's London, 2nd December 1997, lot 118.

Sotheby's. An Important Private Collection of Qing Historical Works of Art. 07 Oct 10. Hong Kong www.sothebys.com