Vintage Chinese Carved Stone Seal / Chop (Foo Dog) 🇨🇳🦁💚

This is a Traditional Carved Stone Personal Seal (Chop/Hanko) from East Asia. It is topped with a finely carved Guardian Lion (Foo Dog) finial and features original engraved markings.

• Material: Carved Green Soapstone or Serpentine Jade.

• Form: Traditional Seal/Chop with a Guardian Lion Knop.

2. Item Details & Design ✨🎨

The seal is a piece of documented, functional art:

• Stone: Light green, naturally veined stone with high polish and translucency, characteristic of materials used for seals.

• Carving: The Foo Dog finial is highly stylized and meticulously carved, creating a bold, protective figure seated atop the seal's base.

• Base: The bottom surface is engraved with the Western name "RAY" and Chinese characters, and is heavily stained with vermillion ink paste, confirming its use as a personal signature mark.

• Condition Detail: The carving is smooth and intact. The presence of the ink stain is a desirable aspect for collectors of seals, proving its authenticity and use.

3. Historical/Period Context 🌏🕰️

• Period: Mid-to-Late 20th Century (c. 1960s–1980s). These seals were, and still are, common functional items and gifts, often cut for personal or business use.

• Significance: The use of seals dates back thousands of years in Asia. This piece represents the continued practice of using carved stones as a formal mark of identity, akin to a signature.

4. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐

This item is perfect for:

• Collectors of Asian Carved Art and Scholarly/Desk Objects.

• Enthusiasts of Foo Dog/Guardian Lion iconography and symbols of power.

• Buyers seeking an authentic, functional personal seal with a clear carving.

5. Condition & Valuation 💎💰

• Condition: Excellent Vintage Condition. The carving is sharp, and the stone has no visible chips or fractures. The natural veining is attractive. The red ink staining is consistent with its intended use and adds to its authenticity.

• Rarity: Moderate (Chop seals are common, but the quality of this Foo Dog carving and its intact condition are superior).

• Valuation Strategy: Price is driven by the material quality (carved stone/jade), the iconic Foo Dog finial, and the historical significance of the object's function.