Bonhams sold a Qianlong personal seal made of white jade today for £2,708,000. The seal bears an inscription `Zi Qiang Bu Xi’, (‘Self-Strengthening Never Ceases’) is closely linked to the Emperor’s 80th birthday celebration which coincided with the 55th year of his reign. Imperial records show that the seal was commissioned in 1793. The sale attracted interest from the Imperial museum and 200 people showed up at the sale where three bidders fought it out in the room until a Chinese buyer from Beijing prevailed.
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