One of a pair of seals made from carved soapstone. Large rectangular block surmounted with a mythical beast, 'qilin', beside a bound pile of books. Incised on four sides with Chinese inscription. The seal is engraved on the underside in seal script in intaglio, which reads: 'fu gui shou bi nan shan' (wealth, high rank and longevity as the Southern Mountain). Red cinnabar paste remains indicating that the seal has been used.
The seal stamp is a Chinese proverb meaning: 'Riches and prosperity and longevity like the southern mountains'. The engraving on each of the four sides is quite different from that on the other three. The style of the script used varies from classical, full form to simplified form. Bequeathed by Charles Kearley through the National Art Collections Fund.
