Chinese Monastery Stamp or Seal Depicting Buddhai

Imagine a seated robed figure fills a narrow reddish panel, framed by combed vertical lines.

This monastery stamp or seal depicting a buddha is from China, and dates to the early 20th century. It is soapstone. Seals are used in China to sign and authenticate documents and works, and monasteries commonly kept their own for marking texts and certificates. Plainly, a rectangular block with rounded corners has a carved scene of a figure in heavy, rippling robes against a backdrop of fine vertical grooves. The relief is dark and ink-black on a rusty red edge.

Carved with care and a strong sense of drapery.