China, late Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). Of rectangular form with a Buddhist lion finial. The top and sides carved with stylized cloud and floral scroll designs, the seal face carved with characters reading ‘The official who watches the border’.

Condition: Good condition with wear and natural age cracks. The corners with tiny notches. Remnants of paint.
Provenance: Dr. Ernst Eichler, Vienna, Austria. Thence by descent in the same family. Ernst Eichler (1932-2018) was a judge and poet, writing under the pseudonym of Ernst David. His works have been published worldwide and translated into many languages, including Japanese. Beginning in the late 1960s, he built an important collection of writing instruments, seals and other antique desktop objects, among them a small number of Chinese and Tibetan seals.

Weight: 109 g
Dimensions: Length 7 cm

This item contains or is made from elephant ivory and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Please note that in compliance with EU regulation effective January 19th, 2022, all items carved from elephant ivory before 1947 must carry a legal trade permit issued by the Austrian ministry of trade, or any other appropriate authority within the European Union. For this reason, any sale of such item can only be concluded after such permit has been granted. All payments made prior to the issuance of the respective permit will be held in escrow until the application for the permit has been approved. Please note that according to EU regulation it may take up to 3 months until the permit has been granted. In case the permit is declined, or not granted after 3 months, the payment will be returned to the client immediately.