Vintage Chinese Four Symbols Bronze Seal Set – 8 Archaistic Animal Stamps – Dragon Tiger Phoenix Tortoise – Han Style

Details

A striking complete set of eight Chinese bronze/brass seals representing the traditional Four Symbols / Four Celestial Animals of Chinese cosmology:

* Azure Dragon – East
* White Tiger – West
* Vermilion Bird / Phoenix – South
* Black Tortoise with Snake – North

Each animal is represented by a larger and smaller companion seal, creating a complete eight-piece set.

The bases are individually engraved in traditional-style Chinese seal script (Zhuanshu 篆書) and are designed to function as stamps.

The seals are made in an archaistic style inspired by ancient Chinese bronze seals, particularly Han Dynasty animal-knob seals. Based on comparison with similar known examples,.

The surfaces have an attractive aged bronze patina, giving the seals considerable decorative character. The sculptural animal forms, paired arrangement and individually engraved seal faces make the set especially appealing to collectors of Chinese seals, Asian decorative arts, Feng Shui objects and Chinese symbolism.

The Four Symbols have a long history within Chinese cosmology and traditionally correspond to the cardinal directions and protective celestial animals.

Condition:
Good vintage condition with surface wear, oxidation and patination consistent with age and manufacture. Please study all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.

The presentation box shown with the set is later and not original to the seals.

Important dating note:
These seals emulate much earlier Chinese bronze seal forms. They are not being offered as genuine Han Dynast They have been independently dated around 100 years old due to the quality of the casting