The Imperial Seal Case (玉玺盒 yù xǐ hé) was the ornate container that held the Imperial Seal of China. The case passed from Han to Wei to Jin along with the seal itself, becoming a symbol of legitimate succession. Crafted from jade and precious metals, it was designed to protect the seal while displaying imperial magnificence.
Historical context
Artifacts and ceremonial objects carried deep symbolic meaning during the Three Kingdoms period. They represented continuity of Han culture, legitimate authority, and the refined tastes of the aristocracy even amid constant warfare.
References
- Chen Shou, Records of the Three Kingdoms (三国志)
- Luo Guanzhong, Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三国演义)