A piece of privy seal of the Qing Dynasty's (A.D. 1611 to 1911) Emperor Qianlong produced after passing inspection at Beijing's Wanquanzhuang will be auctioned by Christie's on May 30th, with an estimated price of four to six million Hong Kong Dollars (US$500,000 to 750,000).

Hong Kong Christie's Beijing office representative Miss Shan Jing mentioned that this "Wan Quan Zhuang Bao" (Ten Thousand Spring Locale Treasure) was once auctioned in New York in 1986 at an estimated price of US$14,000 to 18,000.

"Wan Quan Zhuang Bao" has been recorded in the Qianlong Imperial Privy Seal books that are currently stored at the Imperial Palace. Matching the records with the actual item, every detail, whether it be size or seal character, checks out perfectly, confirming with a doubt the authenticity of this privy seal.

(CRI.com May 19, 2005)