seal; 密封、印(Chinese) BM-1907-1111.28

Period:Unknown Production date:1stC-4thC
Materials:bronze, 青銅 (Chinese),
Technique:cast, 澆鑄 (Chinese),
Subjects:cattle (cow) 哺乳動物 (Chinese) dog
Dimensions:Height: 0.60 centimetres Length: 2.80 centimetres Width: 2.70 centimetres

Description:
Square bronze seal with a small loop-shaped handle, now broken. The base of the seal is decorated with the depiction of a cow being milked by a seated figure. Next to the figure a smaller animal, maybe a calf or a dog, is shown.
IMG


Comments:Stein, Ancient Khotan, pp. 209, 220, pl. XLIX: Of the seals from Yotkan or Khotan shown in Plate L, all with one exception are in bronze, and either square or oblong. The best designed among them is, perhaps, Y.009.k, showing a cow with figure milking. Seals of exactly similar make are numerous in the collection reported on by Dr Hoernle (Report on Central Asian Antiquities, I, Pl.III), and it is thus probable that we have in them work of the local metalworkers whose skill the Chinese Annals specially mention.