Seal

Item number Edz1004 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

Item Records

This page shows all the information we have about this item. Both the institution that physically holds this item, and RRN members have contributed the knowledge on this page. You’re looking at the item record provided by the holding institution. If you scroll further down the page, you’ll see the information from RRN members, and can share your own knowledge too.

The RRN processes the information it receives from each institution to make it more readable and easier to search. If you’re doing in-depth research on this item, be sure to take a look at the Data Source tab to see the information exactly as it was provided by the institution.

These records are easy to share because each has a unique web address. You can copy and paste the location from your browser’s address bar into an email, word document, or chat message to share this item with others.

Data
Data Source

This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.

Description

Rectangular seal made of a single piece of bronze with small loop handle at centre of the upper side, which has a raised design of four dragons, four clouds and two circles surrounded by flame patterns. On the underside are approximately fifty-nine raised characters in seal style. The surface of the bronze is a rough, uneven brown and black colour.

History Of Use

Used as a stamp to imprint characters on documents, paintings etc., using a red ink made from a sticky vegetable dye. The use of seals originated in China. The seal is used in place of a personal signature or, in this case, possibly to show official origin or approval of documents.

Iconographic Meaning

Dragon is symbol of emperor and eternity. Circle surrounded by flames is a pearlizing pure intentions, the heart of Buddha, feminine beauty and purity, as well as genius in obscurity.