The top of the seal carved with a lion tussling with two cubs and a brocade ball, the upper border finely-incised with floral scrolls, one side of the seal incised in Chinese, which may be translated as: "Yi Mao [year](equivalent to 1855), ninth month, 29th day; Wu Zi carved in Hanjiang Public Administration of Salt", the underside carved with a two-character seal in archaic script, the stone of a pale amber-brown with darker veining.(H: 4 3/4 in.)PROVENANCE:Xanadu Gallery, San FranciscoAcquired by the parents of the present owner from the aboveNOTE:Wu Zi (1813-1858) was one of the most renowed seal carvers of the late Qing dynasty, he was also the administrator of the salt monopoly in Shandong province.