Vintage Chinese Hand-Carved Soapstone Snake Seal Stamp. The curling snake form at top is complemented by an image of a snake incised into the side as well, along with tree forms and kanji. On the bottom is the stamp accented in red, with kanji on half and the word "DOLLIE" in English below. 

Size: 3 x 3/4 x 3/4 in. 

The stamp seal (also called an impression seal) is a common seal die, frequently carved from stone, in forms at least since the 6th Millennium BC and probably earlier. The dies were used to impress their picture or inscription into soft, prepared clay and sometimes in sealing wax. The oldest known stamp seals originated in the Indus Valley, and were button-shaped objects with primitive ornamental forms chiseled onto them, replaced in the 4th Millennium BC by cylinder seals that had to be rolled over the soft clay to leave an imprint. Over the following centuries the form spread throughout Asia, Europe, and Africa, with Romans introducing their signaculum around the 1st Century BC in a form still in use to this day. In antiquity the stamp seals were common, largely because they served to authenticate legal documents, such as tax receipts, contracts, wills and decrees, and even with the advent of inkpens and computer technology, the physical manifestation of a sealed contract is considered preferable (or even necessary) in some cultures and social circles. 

  • Condition:

    All items are sold AS IS. Lot and condition details are for descriptive purposes only. Sarasota Estate Auction is not responsible for errors and/or omissions of condition. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is perfect or free from wear, flaws, or characteristics of age. Please bid according to your own expertise, or request any additional information and/or photographs you deem necessary.

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Shipping

BIDDER MUST ARRANGE THEIR OWN SHIPPING. Although SEA will NOT arrange shipping for you, we do recommend our preferred shipper Premier Shipping & Crating at [email protected]
You MUST email them, please do not call. If you'd like to compare shipping quotes or need more options, feel free to contact any local Sarasota shippers. You can email any one of the shippers below as well. Be sure to include the lot(s) you won and address you would like it shipped to.
Brennan with The UPS Store #0089 - 941-413-5998 - [email protected]
AK with The UPS Store #2689 - 941-954-4575 - [email protected]
Steve with The UPS Store #4074 - 941-358-7022 - [email protected]
Everett with PakMail - 941-751-2070 - [email protected]

by Sarasota Estate Auction
June 14, 2026 11:00 AM EDT
522 South Pineapple Avenue
Sarasota , FL, US 34236

Sarasota Estate Auction

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $249 $25
$250 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,499 $100
$2,500 $7,499 $250
$7,500 $19,999 $500
$20,000 $49,999 $1,000
$50,000 $99,999 $2,500
$100,000 $249,999 $5,000
$250,000 $499,999 $10,000
$500,000 + $25,000