I Am the Tathagata’s Youngest Cousin

CHINA; Qing dynasty

Ananda, the Buddha’s main disciple and attendant, is quoted in the Surangama Sutra as saying, “I am the Tathagata’s youngest cousin.” This excerpt shows the immensely close relationship that Ananda had with Sakyamuni Buddha.
The eight red characters of this seal are arranged into two columns, set within a vertically-formatted rectangle. Simple and elegant, with squared yet rounded character forms, the piece resembles seal styles from the Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE). The characters overlap, but show no visible incisions, resulting in a clear and refined seal script.
Dong Xun, also known as Qiquan and Xiaochi, was an artist from Zhejiang during the Qing dynasty. An expert in seal engraving, calligraphy, painting, and poetry, his seals emulated Han style. In addition, he was influenced by the styles of various masters from the Tang (618–907) and Song (960–1279) dynasties, taking particular interest in the works of Ding Jing. After working in the government for several years, he renounced official life in favor of selling art for a living.