Small oval seal carved from a piece of walnut. Such seals were often worn as beads which explains the hole through the centre. The other side has a depiction of dragon, one of the animals of the Chinese zodiac. The dragon represents Rank and Power and is also seen as a symbol of Fertility. We have not been able to decipher the characters of the seal. The material from which this small gem is carved, is quite hard and therefore difficult to carve. It dates from the Qing period (1644 – 1912). Length 2.1 cm. Width 1.8 cm. Height 1.2 cm.