A CARVED IVORY SEAL

MING DYNASTY (1368–1644)

HEIGHT: 5.8CM;
WIDTH: 7CM;
LENGTH: 4.3CM

The ivory carving depicts a horned mythical beast, left-turning and crouching sideways filling the top of a rectangular-shaped platform. The eyes protrude out from its furrowed brows and its upper set of teeth is revealed. The doublenotched spine is exposed, curling along its back and partially covered by its upturned tail. The base of the seal is left uncarved.

SIMILAR EXAMPLE
An ivory example of similar motif and rectangular-shaped seal face is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Bamboo, Wood, Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn Carvings, Hong Kong, 2002, p. 116, Catalogue No. 106.

明代象牙雕麒麟長方印