Gold seal with turtle-shaped knob inscribed with Zhenfei Zhi Yin

Guangxu Period, Qing Dynasty
Height: 11.6cm
Length: 11cm
Width: 11cm
Weight: 6800g

Square-shaped, turtle-shaped knob, inscribed with "Zhenfei Zhi Yin" (Imperial Consort Zhen's seal) in seal-script Chinese and Manchu characters in relief.

This seal was granted to Imperial Consort Zhen by Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty after he conferred the title on her. Imperial Consort Zhen was the favorite consort of Emperor Guangxu. She entered the imperial court in 1888, the 14th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign, and was granted the title "Imperial Concubine Zhen" in the following year. Shortly afterwards, she was promoted to Imperial Consort Zhen. In 1900, the 26th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign, the invading troops of the Eight-Power Allied Forces made their way to Beijing, Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu fled from the Forbidden City to Xi'an. Before their departure, Imperial Consort Zhen was thrown into a well and drowned.