Vintage Chinese Finely 3" Carved Brown Stone FOO DOG Yin Seal for red ink

Description

WELCOME TO MY EBAY STORE!
This is one of two Vintage/Antique Chinese 'CHOP' or Seals, carved in Hardstone in my ebay store. This one is 3" tall and has a  carved FOO DOG or some creature on the top. (I have a hard time making out if it is a dragon or foo dog or phoenix). There is also some surface design carving on the sides of the Chop.   A seal in the East Asian context, is the general name for printing stamps that have been traditionally used instead of signatures--on personal documents, office paperwork, contracts, art and other items requiring acknowledgement of authorship. They are still relatively common in many aspects of life in China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan.  Chinese seals are usually made of stone, metals, wood, bamboo,bone or jade and are typically used with red ink or cinnabar paste that is kept in ceramic lidded jars. The name CHOP was adapted from the Hindi word chapa, and the Malay word cap, meaning stamp as in rubber stamp. The ink or paste is always kept covered so it will not dry, and the cinnabar paste must be stirred monthly. You can find the ink pots for sale at auctions from various dynasties. It is also important to keep the engraved end of the chop clean so the impression is clear. As you can see there is some aged residue of the red ink/paste on this chop showing it was used in the past. These items came from an estate collector of Asian antiques.
I am NOT an expert on Asian antiques and therefore make no claim as to when or how this piece was made. Thanks to the individual who advised me that in his opinion this seal is called dyed 'kunlun jellystone' which I have NO idea what that is; he also says the seal is a good fortune character, or part of one. There is a nick on the figure so this is priced accordingly.
These are very popular with artists now and a nice item to seal your letters or artwork. See my other chop in my store with a wonderfully carved foo dog on top and the bottom is blank, for carving.
Thanks for stopping into my store! See my many antique dolls, porcelain and other items.