Square ivory seal with four incised characters (3)

1951
Lu Qi (dates unknown; a contemporary of Li Zuyou)
Ivory
W 2.1cm; L 2.1cm; H 5.4cm

Seal characters: Beloved seal of Zuyou
Side inscriptions: Qi carved this seal for Master Zuyou at the behest of Shaoqiang my senior. The ancient lexicon Shuowen does not have the character "you" (佑) as there was only the character "you" (右) meaning "right". The character "you" (佑) appears in Zhong Yong (Doctrine of the Mean) is remained in everyday use. I use the character in a name seal, and therefore do not follow the ancient lexicon. In the seventh month of the year xinmao (1951). Carved and inscribed by Lu Qi.

(See Square ivory seal with six characters carved in relief; seals in pair)