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Just acquired a few jade seals from an old collector in China. This one here is carved with a dragon. I am not sure if it is a modern carving but was told by the source that it is "old", perhaps Qing.

The name(?) engraving is so finely done, that it could well be Qing Dynasty.
Ernest

The character is not a name, but the character Shou 壽 meaning long life.

I am not sure that the carving is very old as jade is notoriously difficult to carve, and it looks a bit suspicious to me that the base of the carved out area is very even. It may even been done with a router. Only a very close examination would be able to tell.

Still a nice stone to have in a collection,.

Ernest and Mikeoz, thanks. Mikeoz, you may be quite right that the carving is not new; I bought this, together with a few others, mainly for what I consider is nice jade.

The source, a Chinese gentleman in his 80s, would only say his jade pieces are "old" or "very old". With some of the mainland Chinese from whom I have had the pleasure of knowing and acquiring some jade pieces, the meaning of "old" can vary quite a lot, to the extent that "old" can either mean "more than 10 years", "for the 30 years that he has the piece" or as old as his age!

I have not been intentionally looking for old jade carvings. I am drawn more to the quality and feel of the stone although I am definitely no expert. The few "modern" ones that I have brought back so far are what I consider good finds at relatively good prices.

I will post a couple more recent pieces to share and to let jade lovers know that there are still authentic and affordable jade to buy in China. At least, this is my own experience.

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