Seal of Zanabazar

CHINA; Qing dynasty

This seal, seal box and case belonged to Zanabazar, the First Bogdo Gegen.
The engraved surface of the seal is square with a wide border, followed by a double-line frame. Engraved texts are arranged in three lines in Phagpa and Tibetan script, identifying the owner of this seal as Zanabazar. The handle is shaped like a bud with a swirling floral design.
The seal is kept in a small sandalwood box, which is placed inside a bigger hardwood case. The latter is 21.5 cm high and 17.7 cm wide, with a truncated pyramid lid. The edges of the case are decorated with wide bands of delicate silver filigree in the form of swirling floral patterns. There is a large, finely decorated hinge on the back of the case, with plain handles on the sides. The small sandalwood box is much simpler, with three silver strips: one at the bottom, one where the box and the lid meet, and one at the base of the pyramid style upper part. There is a lock on the front.