c.1920 Chinese Stone Seal with Western Lion Finial “WELCOME” - Da Qing Guo Xi Inscription (837g, 15.5 cm)

$350.00
Unusual and striking cross-cultural seal, likely made in a Chinese treaty-port workshop around 1920. The heavy stone base is deeply carved in traditional seal script (篆书) with the characters 大清國璽 (Da Qing Guo Xi, “Great Qing National Seal”), while the finial features a Western heraldic lion clutching a shield engraved WELCOME with an owl motif — a fascinating blend of East and West in a single object. This piece weighs 837 grams and stands 15.5 cm high (6 inches) with a 6 cm square base (2.4 inches). The carving shows hand-tool work and retains traces of old blue pigment in the recessed seal. The metal lion shows a mellow, century-old patina. Likely created as a commemorative or presentation piece in the early Republic period, it’s both decorative and historically intriguing — a conversation starter for any collection of treaty-port antiques, Asian art, or heraldic curiosities. Condition: Honest surface wear consistent with age Some scratches to the stone and light handling marks on the lion finial No structural cracks or repairs Dimensions & Weight: Height: 15.5 cm (6.1 in) Base: 6 cm (2.4 in) square Weight: 837 grams (1.85 lbs) Check out some of my other antiques: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP?ref=search_shop_redirect§ion_id=6783279 Or just browse around the shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP
Unusual and striking cross-cultural seal, likely made in a Chinese treaty-port workshop around 1920. The heavy stone base is deeply carved in traditional seal script (篆书) with the characters 大清國璽 (Da Qing Guo Xi, “Great Qing National Seal”), while the finial features a Western heraldic lion clutching a shield engraved WELCOME with an owl motif — a fascinating blend of East and West in a single object. This piece weighs 837 grams and stands 15.5 cm high (6 inches) with a 6 cm square base (2.4 inches). The carving shows hand-tool work and retains traces of old blue pigment in the recessed seal. The metal lion shows a mellow, century-old patina. Likely created as a commemorative or presentation piece in the early Republic period, it’s both decorative and historically intriguing — a conversation starter for any collection of treaty-port antiques, Asian art, or heraldic curiosities. Condition: Honest surface wear consistent with age Some scratches to the stone and light handling marks on the lion finial No structural cracks or repairs Dimensions & Weight: Height: 15.5 cm (6.1 in) Base: 6 cm (2.4 in) square Weight: 837 grams (1.85 lbs) Check out some of my other antiques: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP?ref=search_shop_redirect§ion_id=6783279 Or just browse around the shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP