Chinese Monastery Stamp or Seal Depicting Buddhai

Admire a little round-bellied figure seated on a stand, with a smile that is easy to imagine.

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. The red-brown ground darkens in the cut lines, and two small hooks hold it upright on a black stand. It is 2.25 inches wide, 1.25 deep and 1.75 high.

Plump, relaxed and perfectly posed on its tidy black base.