Chinese Monastery Stamp or Seal Depicting Quan Yin

Tall carved slab holds a haloed figure in flowing robes above a lotus band.

This soapstone monastery stamp or seal depicting Guanyin is from China, and dates to the early 20th century. Seals are used in China to sign documents and artworks, and a seal is typically carved in reverse so that it prints the text or image correctly. Tall narrow block carved on its face with a standing robed figure with a round halo, folds of drapery falling to the feet and a band of petals at the base. Red coloring fills the incisions against a pale gold surface. It is 1.63 inches wide, 1.63 deep and 4.63 high.

Line work this fine takes real patience.