Incense Seal and Wood Box

Date19th century

Label TextIncense seals contain lids with patterned perforations. Incense smoke emanating from the perforations will replicate those patterns. Those patterns can be characters of auspicious meaning. The cover of the elaborate ruyi scepter is inscribed with a blessing for long life and good fortune, and the sides are emblazoned with hundreds of script variants of the shou character. While this seal may have been used in a secular setting, others were used in devotional settings, because the aroma was thought to cleanse the air, which rendered the place more conducive to meditation and study. Together with the dragon boat alarms, these seals demonstrate that the consumption of incense in China was multi-faceted and required elaborate vessels.

Object number2007.42

Photo CreditPhoto: Susan Cole

Credit LineGift of Ruth, Nancy and Kal Kallison in memory of James M. Kallison, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum

Dimensions5 1/2x 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 in. (14 x 10.8 x 10.8 cm)

MediumPaktong (nickel silver) and wood