18th-century Chinese imperial seal sells for 21 mn euros

The Chinese imperial seal belonged to the Emperor Qianlong, who is regarded as the longest serving emperor in Chinese history, holding ultimate power long after he officially retired. - AFP

Paris (AFP) - An 18th-century Chinese imperial seal sold for 21 million euros in Paris Wednesday -- more than 20 times its estimate, the Drouot auction house told AFP.

Decorated with stylised dragons, the symbol of imperial authority, the extremely rare stamp in red and beige nephrite jade comes from the Qianlong period (1736-1795).