Qianlong Period, Qing Dynasty
Height: 9cm
Length: 9cm
Width: 9cm

Square-shaped, double-dragon knob, inscribed with "Daqing Si Tianzi Bao" (the seal embodying the Qing Dynasty's inheritance of Heaven's laws and moral standards) in seal-script Chinese and Manchu characters in relief.

The imperial seal use to be a symbol of royal power. In 1746, the 11th reigning year of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, the emperor sorted out all the imperial seals in Jiaotaidian (The Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union) of the court. He selected 25 seals from the collection and documented their names, sizes and knob styles. These seals were used in politics, law, military affairs, culture and education, imperial clan, diplomatic affairs etc, indicating that the emperor was in control of military and political powers and that he was a supreme power wielder. As one of the 25 seals, this seal was used as a symbol of publicizing the inheritance of Heaven's laws and moral standards.