Minneapolis Institute of Art

Imperial seal

China

Medium

Jade

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Imperial seals always have a knob carved in the form of a dragon. This example, which belonged to the emperor himself, is carved into a pair of intertwined dragons, their faces directly confronting each other. Between them is a sphere representing the auspicious Chintamani jewel. On the bottom of the seal is a four-character mark that reads yubi zhibao (Treasure of the Imperial Brushwork), suggesting that it was used to sign paintings and works of calligraphy. China, Asia

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