Qing Dynasty, Xuantong period (1909-11)

Silver seal

Height 10cm, length 12.7cm, width 12.7cm

This finely cast seal has a dragon-shaped knob. The powerful and stately attitude of the dragon's body is depicted in delicate carving. The seal face is square, cast with both Manchu script and Chinese characters, which read "Imperial Dowager Consort of the First Rank Qi". This seal was made when Emperor Xuantong of the Qing dynasty was producing a record of the statements of the Imperial House. Imperial Dowager Consort of the First Rank Qi was a concubine of Qing Emperor Xianfeng. She entered the palace in 1858, and was named Imperially Honored Concubine Qi in 1861. She died in 1910.