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Subject:Re: Help With Translating Script On Rhinoceros Horn Seal
Posted By: I.Nagy Sun, Dec 29, 2019
Dear George,
The engraved characters on the seal are special seal script characters used for making seal inscriptions.
The first traditional reading (from top to bottom,
from right to left) is correct,
英魁白印 - Ying Kui Bai Yin - The seal of Ying Kuibai
Meaning of individual characters,
英; Brave, heroic, eminent etc.
In transliteration used for England, English,
Britain or British
魁; The head, the chief, best, monstrous,
eminent, great etc.
白; White, clear, easy etc.
印; Seal
The problem is with this is that the "Ying" as surname does not exist among the Han (Chinese) race, except names transliterated from Manchu during the Qing Dynasty. The "Kuibai" given name is also conceivable as transliteration from Manchu.
However, if we read the first the upper characters from right to left, then
the lower ones on the same way;
英白魁印 - Seal of the English white (headed) chief.
It is conceivable that an English man might have gotten it made for his own leisure.
Sorry, but I can't give you more clear answer.
With regards,
I.Nagy
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