Qing Style Shoushan Stone Dragon-Topped Seal (Chop)清代风格寿山石螭龙钮印章（篆刻“印”）
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Glossary Roundup
Original Presentation Script
Let’s talk about a small object with an outsized cultural footprint: the Chinese seal, or “chop.” This piece is a honey-yellow carved stone seal crowned with a lively dragon finial—exactly the sort of imagery that signals authority, protection, and auspicious power.
On the side we see an inscription that does something very specific: it name-drops “乾隆三十八年” and even “内务府监制,” implying supervision by the Qing imperial household. Historically, that is a towering claim—court-connected seals, when genuine, are backed by impeccable materials, restrained confidence in workmanship, and often a credible chain of custody.
Here, the surface reads as uniformly fresh and glossy, with carving edges that feel very crisp rather than softened by generations of handling. Add the modern gift-style presentation—brocade stand and decorative box—and the overall impression shifts from court artifact to contemporary tribute.
Condition appears very good: clean stone, sharp detail, and cinnabar paste still present on the seal face. But condition and authenticity are two different conversations.
Authenticity score: 18%. In today’s market, ‘Qianlong’ seals are among the most frequently fabricated categories. Auction estimate: as a modern reproduction, roughly $150–$800; if it were truly imperial (a very high bar), values could leap into the tens of thousands. The romance is real—but so are the fakes.
Used for this report's TTS and avatar presentation.
Item Report
Qing Style Shoushan Stone Dragon-Topped Seal (Chop)
清代风格寿山石螭龙钮印章（篆刻“印”）
By:Unknown (commercial seal-carver; not attributable from images)
Style:Chinese seal carving (Qing-style, imperial-revival presentation)
Origin:China (likely Fujian/Guangdong workshop tradition; Shoushan-type stone widely used)
Materials:Shoushan-type soft stone (likely Shoushan/Tianhuang-imitation), pigment-filled incised inscription, cinnabar seal paste; textile brocade stand; paperboard/silk-covered box
Age:Most likely late 20th century to early 21st century (circa 1980–2025), made in Qing/imperial taste
Condition:Very good (appears clean with crisp carving; condition based on photos only—no in-hand inspection)
Value:If authentic Qing imperial IHD-supervised seal: USD $30,000–$120,000+ (very condition- and provenance-dependent). As a later reproduction/modern souvenir seal: USD $150–$800 at auction (sometimes up to ~$1,200 if the stone is genuinely high-grade and carving is crisp).
Maker's Marks / Writing:Side inscription includes “乾隆三十八年” and “内务府监制” (translation: “Qianlong 38th year” and “supervised by the Imperial Household Department”). Seal face: seal-script characters present (not fully legible from provided image resolution).
Date:2025-12-16 02:43:04.342298
Description:
A Chinese carved stone seal (chop) in translucent honey-yellow stone, surmounted by a high-relief dragon/chi-dragon finial. One side bears an incised and black-filled inscription including a date line reading “乾隆三十八年” (Qianlong 38th year) and “内务府监制” (“supervised by the Imperial Household Department”), while the seal face is cut with bold seal-script characters and retains red cinnabar paste. Presented on a textile brocade stand with a fitted decorative box.
一方中国石质印章（“闲章/名章”类），材质呈半透明蜜黄色石料，顶部为高浮雕螭龙（或龙）钮。印身一侧见阴刻并填黑文字，含“乾隆三十八年”及“内务府监制”等字样；印面为篆书印文，印面残留红色朱砂印泥。配织锦底座及带装饰画片的包装盒。
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
This is convincingly a Chinese carved seal intended to evoke imperial Qing authority, but the specific inscription is a major red flag. The text “乾隆三十八年 / 内务府监制” would imply direct imperial-household supervision—an extremely high-status claim—yet the overall surface reads as uniformly fresh and glossy, the carving edges are very crisp, and the set’s presentation (brocade stand + decorative gift box) is typical of modern gift-market seals rather than court-issued objects. The combination of an ‘imperial’ date line with readily marketable dragon imagery is a common modern strategy. A word about fakes.. Chinese ‘Qianlong’ seals and所谓“内务府监制” pieces are among the most frequently fabricated categories on today’s market; treat such inscriptions as marketing until supported by solid provenance and connoisseur-level material evidence. {chavatar_catchphrase} - this is Jade signing off! My red seal stamp goes CHOP!
从器形与工艺来看，这确是一方中国石印章，刻意营造清宫气息；但其“乾隆三十八年 / 内务府监制”的文字属于高风险信号：此类措辞若为真，身份等级极高，通常需要严格的材质、工艺与可靠传承来支撑。就照片观感而言，石质表面整体过于新净、光泽均匀，雕刻转折处刀口偏“利”、缺少长期把玩与使用的自然磨耗；再加上织锦座与礼品盒式包装，更贴近近现代礼品市场的配置，而非宫廷旧物常见的旧配与岁月痕迹。因此更倾向于晚近仿古或纪念品性质。A word about fakes.. 当代市场上“乾隆款印章”“内务府监制”题款极为常见，赝作与仿品数量巨大；在无可靠来源与实物细检前，应默认其为后制。{chavatar_catchphrase} - this is Jade signing off! My red seal stamp goes CHOP!
Individual Images:
none
Provenance:
None provided in images (no receipts, old labels, or collection documentation visible).
Condition:
Very good (appears clean with crisp carving; condition based on photos only—no in-hand inspection)
Identification Score: 92%
Multiple views show a classic Chinese seal form: a square seal body, carved zoomorphic finial, incised side inscription, and a fully carved seal face with cinnabar paste—strongly consistent with a personal/collector’s chop.
多角度照片清楚呈现印章典型要素：方形印体、兽钮（螭龙/龙）雕刻、侧款阴刻文字、以及带朱砂印泥的印面篆刻，因此对“印章/篆刻印”这一器类判断把握较高。
Authenticity Score: 18%
The explicit ‘Qianlong 38th year’ + ‘Imperial Household Department supervised’ inscription is an outsized claim commonly applied to modern decorative seals. The carving appears uniformly crisp with limited age wear/patina visible, and the modern gift-box presentation further suggests late manufacture. Without hard provenance and in-hand study of stone type, tool marks, and wear, it should be treated as a modern reproduction.
“乾隆三十八年”并配“内务府监制”属于极高等级的指向性题款，现实市场中常被用于后制仿品以抬高身价。就图像所见，整体新净、刀口偏利、缺少自然旧化痕迹，且礼盒式包装更像近现代商品配置。缺乏可靠传承与上手检测（石种、刀痕、包浆、磨耗）前，应按现代仿作对待。
Image Memory Note
None
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Keywords
Chinese seal, chop, Qing style, Shoushan stone, dragon finial, Tianhuang imitation, Qianlong inscription, seal script, China
中国印章, 篆刻印, 清代风格, 寿山石, 螭龙钮, 田黄仿, 乾隆款, 篆书印文, 中国
The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.
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