重量 : 2,494 carats

秦朝之前，官、私印都「璽」，是印章最早的名稱。「印」，最早出現於秦官印中，古代用玉作印始於戰國時代。秦朝時，皇帝用印多為美玉刻成，並飾以龍紋及虎形印紐，故又稱為「玉璽」，玉璽是皇帝的專用印，導源於秦始皇始以璽為國家權力之象徵。

春秋周敬王玉印，欽文之印上刻《讀書寄情秋水》，周敬王，名姬?，中國東周君主，諡號敬王，在位44年(公元前519～前477年) ，由劉卷、單旗扶持繼位，周敬王二十六年（西元前494年），吳王夫差為父報仇，起兵擊敗越國，越王勾踐求和，並獻上美女西施，周敬王居於翟泉，時人稱為『東王』。

參考資料 : GIA Identification Report

WARRING STATES PERIOD-ZHOU JINGWANG JADE SEAL

Dimensions (cm) : L 6.942 x W 6.923 x H 5.12  

Weight : 2,494 carats 

Before QinShiHuang (meaning “the original emperor”) reserved the word “Xi” (璽) for the emperor’s exclusive use, all seals, even the ones used by commoners, could be called “Xi.” Since the Spring and Autumn era came before Qin dynasty, “Xi” simply meant “seal” or “stamp” at the time.

Seals of ancient Chinese rulers were mostly made from precious stones, and fine jade was the top choice. Traditionally, the ruler’s official seal had dragons carved on the sides. A handle in the shape of a tiger or a dragon was also preferred. This particular jade seal (玉璽) was used as the signature of King Zhou Jing’s authority; all his written announcements were stamped with it.

With Zhou dynasty’s feudalism political system, there were many local governors under King Zhou Jing. One of the most famous feuds among local governors happened in the 26^th year (494 BC) of King Zhou Jing’s reign. FuChai, governor of Wu, invaded Yue for the reprisal of his father’s shame of being defeated by Yue. GouJian, then governor of Yue, was imprisoned by FuChai before GouJian agreed that Yue became a tributary state to Wu. Secretly plotting his revenge, Goujian searched and trained beautiful women and offered them to Fuchai as a tribute (knowing Fuchai could not resist beautiful women). One of the women GouJian gave to FuChai was XiShi, the legendary beauty in Chinese culture. The year was 490 BC when XiShi was about 16.

King Zhou Jing’s last name is Ji (姬), and his first name is Gai (?) .King Zhou Jing (meaning “the revered king of Zhou”) was the title given to him posthumously; but at the time people called him “the king of the east.” He ascended to the throne with the support of Lui Jiuan and Dan Qi. His reign of the dynasty was from 519 BC to 477 BC, and ZhaiChuan was the capital of his choice.  

Reference : GIA Identification Report