A square seal carved from green jade, bearing Manchu and Chinese inscriptions in Zhuànshū (seal script). Engraved on all four sides of the seal is the imperial edict "Self-Inscribed Seal of the Emperor Emeritus." Emperor Kangxi reigned for 61 years. Emperor Qianlong vowed early on to abdicate in his 60th year of reign, for "he dared not equate himself with his imperial ancestors." Although he formally relinquished the throne, he continued to rule behind the scenes under the same reign, holding the title "Emperor Emeritus." For this occasion, he commissioned several seals inscribed with "Treasury of the Emperor Emeritus."
This is the largest known seal among all of Qianlong's imperial seals—and also the largest jade-carved seal currently preserved in the Palace Museum's collection.
碧玉交龙纽“太上皇帝之宝”
Seal with Interlaced Dragons Knob
Height: 15.5 cm; side length of seal face: 22.6 cm
Jade