Seal
Original Language Title青花瓷印章
CultureChinese
DateMing dynasty (1368-1644)
MediumPorcelain with underglaze blue decoration
DimensionsOverall: 3 × 1 1/2 × 2 1/4 inches (7.62 × 3.81 × 5.72 cm)
Credit LineBequest of Joseph H. Heil
Object number74-36/34
Markingsmark and reign of the Tianqi Emperor (r. 1620–1627)
On View
Not on viewCollections
Gallery LabelSeals functioned as marks of ownership and authority. An imaginary creature sits atop an oblong block, the sides of which are decorated with waves breaking on rocks. The six-character inscription reads: “Made in the Tianqi era of the Great Ming.” This inscription suggests that it was made for the court. The characters on the underside are written in a stylized script known as “seal script.” The seal might have been used on official palace documents. Similar seals would have been used on paintings in the imperial collection, like the one nearby.
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