Chinese Monastery Stamp or Seal Depicting Archaic Animal Symbol, Based

Hooked curls and a crouching creature crowd one small red-stained block.

This monastery stamp or seal depicting an archaic animal symbol is from China, and dates to the early 20th century. It is soapstone. Stylized animal forms drawn from very old Chinese bronze and jade decoration have often been revived in later seals and carvings as a way of recalling antiquity. Rectangular stone tablet carved with bold spiral scrolls above a coiled, bird-like creature with a curved beak. Red pigment settles in the recesses against a pale cream surface. Thin black clips hold it on a rod and base. It is 2.38 inches wide, 1.63 deep and 4 high.

Every curl is fighting for a place, and winning.