Imperial Seals and the Empresses of China: Power, Art, and History

Introduction

Among the many ornate and captivating details in Xiang Li’s Chinese Empress paintings, one object, in particular, caught my attention. Beyond the intricate jewelry, elaborate headgear, and resplendent imperial robes, I noticed a small square artifact held by some of the empresses. Curious about its significance, I asked Xiang Li and her daughter Fei Wu about it. They explained that these were imperial seals, bestowed upon an empress as a symbol of imperial authority when she was elevated from a bride to her esteemed role as an empress.

Scholarly Texts on the Imperial Seal

Xiang Li recommended an insightful book, Empresses of China’s Forbidden City, 1644–1912, which includes a chapter dedicated to these imperial jade seals. This book provides a detailed exploration of the world of Qing dynasty empresses. Pages 208–209 particularly delve into the significance of the seals, describing their role for emperors, empresses, royal consorts, aristocrats, and bureaucrats. These seals functioned as unique signatures of imperial power, used to issue decrees, authenticate documents and artworks, and reinforce authority and connoisseurship in imperial China.

Chinese empresses had their own seals, separate from those of the emperor, signifying their distinct influence within the court. Often crafted from exquisite jade or gold, these seals were not just tools of governance but also artistic masterpieces. Intricately carved and inscribed with auspicious symbols, they embodied divine significance and reinforced the empresses’ stature in the imperial hierarchy. The Chinese texts on the base of the seals would typically say ‘seal of empress’. Below are images of the Qing dynasty empress seals from the book.

Above: Seal of an empress with double-headed dragon with box, tray, lock, key, and plaques. The seal is made in gold alloy and with silk tassels.

Above: Seal of Empress Dowager Cixi made in Shoushan stone with phoenix and dragon symbols.

Above: Seal of empress made in jade with silk tassels.

Interestingly, there is also a historical account of the ‘Imperial Seal of China’ on Wikipedia. This legendary jade seal, originally belonging to the first emperor of China, vanished around 618 CE after being passed through various dynasties. Its disappearance remains a mystery, with theories ranging from theft and destruction in wars to loss in natural disasters.

Xiang Li’s Artistic Interpretation of Empresses and Their Seals

Xiang Li brings the history of the imperial seals to life through her Chinese Empress painting series. In some of her works, empresses are depicted holding these seals, emphasizing their authority, legacy, and cultural significance. Her meticulous attention to detail in depicting the color, texture, and ornate carvings of the seals honors their historical importance and artistic craftsmanship.

Below are some of the specific Empress paintings by Xiang Li that prominently feature the imperial seal.

Honoring the Legacy of Empresses Through Art

By incorporating imperial seals into her paintings, Xiang Li bridges historical scholarship with contemporary art, allowing viewers to appreciate the grandeur and significance of these imperial women. Her paintings serve as a visual tribute to the enduring legacy of China’s empresses.

Explore more of Xiang Li’s Chinese Empress Collection and witness her artistic reinterpretation of the power of women in history right here at xiangliart.com.

You can also find Chinese Empress canvas prints at Xiang Li’s online store.

Shop Empress prints and more