Chinese Monastery Stamp Depicting Quan Yin, Based

A tablet of fine carved lines, with a seated figure surrounded by what look like leaves and petals.

This monastery stamp depicting Quan Yin is from China, and dates to the early 20th century. It is soapstone. Soapstone, or steatite, is a soft, talc-rich stone that carves easily, which is why it has long been used for seals and small sculptures in China. A flat square plaque etched with a seated figure wearing a cap, holding something in the lap, surrounded by dense hatching and flowing shapes. The red-brown color sits in the lines, over a cream surface. It stands on a black metal base. It is 3 inches wide, 1.25 deep and 5 high.

Every line was cut by a patient hand with something to prove.