China, Qing Dynasty, 1644-1912. Of rectangular form, surmounted by a finely carved Buddhist lion with a curly mane, furcated tail, elegantly curved horn, ruyi-shaped nose, sharp fangs, and quizzical expression with bulging eyes. The seal face is carved with a four-character seal, reading 'Book collection of Li Gao', the stone of an attractive warm variegated brownish-orange color.Provenance: From a British private estate. Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear, light scratches, microscopic nibbling to edges, the stone with natural fissures, some of which may have developed into small hairlines over time.Weight: 25.8 gDimensions: Size 3.5 x 2.5 x 2 cmThe exceptional coloration and luminosity of this tianhuang stone are skillfully accentuated through its intricately carved details which reveal the layers of subtle golden hues. The combination of carving in the round and low-relief detailing effectively capture the light as it shines on and passes through the seal to further intensify the richness of color.Tianhuang is a type of soapstone that is highly valued for its warm yellow tones and lustrous sheen and was considered the rival to the finest and purest jade. Apart from being graded by its color, tianhuang was also priced according to its weight rather than size, hence making it one of the most expensive materials to carve.Auction result comparison: Compare with a related tianhuang Buddhist lion seal of larger size at Sotheby's Hong Kong in Important Chinese Art on 3 April 2018, lot 3644, sold for HKD 1,125,000, and another of closely related size (3.5 x 2.7 x 2 cm) at Christie's Hong Kong in The Imperial Sale / Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art on 28 May 2014, lot 3578, sold for HKD 1,000,000.李高款田黃獅鈕方印 中國,清朝,1644-1912。長方形,精雕細刻的獅鈕,捲曲的鬃毛,尾巴分叉,如意狀的鼻子,尖銳的獠牙,眼睛圓鼓,表情生動。寫著“李高藏書”。溫潤的黃棕色石頭。來源:英國私人遺產 品相:狀況極佳,輕微磨損與划痕,微小的邊緣缺損,天然裂縫。 重量:25.8 克 尺寸:3.5 x 2.5 x 2 厘米 拍賣結果比較:一件相似田黃獅鈕方印,售于香港蘇富比Important Chinese Art 拍場2018年4月 3日,售價HKD 1,125,000;另一件尺寸大小相似的方印,售于香港佳士得The Imperial Sale / Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art 拍場2014年5月28日,lot 3578, 售價HKD 1,000,000。