Carved Chinese Seal Help!

[winslow]

This was found by my detecting buddy Gary. While detecting near a creek that runs through the middle of town (recently cleared of brush) he eyeballed what he thought was a small statue embedded in the mud. When he cleaned it up at end of the day he discovered what looks like a hand carved stone Chinese seal. There were a lot of Chinese in our area after the gold rush ... principally in the 1850's through 1870's.

We're both wondering if it's real or a reproduction. It certainly has the feel of being original and if it is it may have local historical significance.

How old it it?

What do the Chinese characters represent? A date? Name? or

The item is 4 3/4 inched high and 1 5/8 inches square. eight is 13.4 oz.

In any event certainly a cool find!!

 

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[Squirrel322]

I don't know if you could date it, maybe someone with specific knowledge of these could.

They are known as Chinese "chops". They are basically rubber stamps for ink. When I was in San Francisco 20 years ago you could get them made with the your name (or whatever) in Chinese. Now they sell them on the internet. Regardless I do believe they are hand carved. Yours looks like a little nicer one. Its a cool find.

 

[sprailroad]

OK then fella's, I had the opportunity to see and hold this item, and it is exquisite. It certainly is not cast, it is beautifully carved, as stated weighs 13+ ounces, the type of stone is not yet known, and the Chinese characters carved into the side is of a older form, (of which I did not know that there was). Much like reading English, then trying to read "Old English", much difference. It would of been an "Ink" stamp sort of thing for say some type of document, and I'm sure the "characters" on the side would be the "key" to the whole thing IF they find someone who could "read/interpret" the older style. With the scenery carved on the sides etc, this is not a souvenir piece I truly believe, and we did have a large Chinese presence in the S. Oregon N. California in the mid 1800's. The pictures do not do it justice. So far it is a mystery, and a very nice one. It's one of those things that when held, you just know it has age and importance to it. I really hope that their continued research pans out somehow, I'd love to know after actually holding this thing.

 

[DCMatt]

I don't know if you could date it, maybe someone with specific knowledge of these could.

They are known as Chinese "chops". They are basically rubber stamps for ink. When I was in San Francisco 20 years ago you could get them made with the your name (or whatever) in Chinese. Now they sell them on the internet. Regardless I do believe they are hand carved. Yours looks like a little nicer one. Its a cool find.

Squirrel is on it! Chinese chop. Used as an individual's signature on official documents. Possibly made of shoushan stone.

Very interesting- especially if you can tie it to local history. Not very valuable. You can buy them (old ones) on eBay for $20.