He imitated his grandfather Zhao Tuo 赵佗 to overstep the Han laws and proclaimed himself the Emperor of Nanyue Kingdom.
Gold Seal with Dragon Knob—Administrative Seal of Emperor Wen 文帝行璽
Gold | Nanyue period (205-24 BC) of the Western Han Dynasty (202-9 BC)｜L: 3.1 cm, W: 3 cm | Excavated in 1983 from the tomb of the King Wen of Nanyue, Museum of the King of Nanyue Collection. 金印 ｜ 西汉南越国 （公元前205年-24年）｜印面长3.1 厘米、宽3厘米 | 西汉南越国时期 1983年南越文王墓出土 南越王博物院藏
The seals with the inscription “Administrative Seal of Emperor Wen” “文帝行金”, “Seal of the Emperor” “帝印” and “Zhao Mo” “赵眜” verified that the occupant of the tomb was the second king of the Nanyue Kingdom, Zhao Mo 赵眜.
It is the only material evidence unearthed to date for the study of the seal system in the Qin and Han dynasties. The inscription “Administrative Seal of Emperor Wen” 文帝行璽 in the gold seal testifies that the master of the tomb is the Emperor Wen of the Nanyue Kingdom.
It is the largest gold seal and the first with a dragon knot found from the Western Han period. It weighs 148.5g and side length of 3.1 cm. The signs of wear and tear on the seal face and the remaining traces of red seal ink indicate that the King must have used the seal during his lifetime.
White Jade Seal with Chi-dragon Knob – the Seal of the Emperor 白玉螭虎钮一帝王玺印
Jade | Nanyue period (205-24 BC) of the Western Han Dynasty (202-9 BC)｜Excavated in 1983 from the tomb of the King Wen of Nanyue, Museum of the King of Nanyue Collection. 玉印 ｜ 西汉南越国 （公元前205年-24年）｜ 西汉南越国时期 1983年南越文王墓出土 南越王博物院藏
This jade seal is inscribed with the phrase “Seal of the Emperor” 帝印. The seal is very similar both in form (螭 “chi”-dragon knob) and material (white jade) to the “Seal of the Empress” 皇后之璽 of the central government discovered in Xianyang 咸阳. This implies that the Nanyue King had adopted Qin and Han laws on imperial seal-making in producing the seal.
However, the impression of the seal is different from that stamped on the clay seal 封泥, found in the West Side Chamber right next to the Main Chamber among all the burial goods, indicating the existence of another seal.
The Occupant Zhao Mo 墓主“赵眛”
Jade | Nanyue period (205-24 BC) of the Western Han Dynasty (202-9 BC)｜Excavated in 1983 from the tomb of the King Wen of Nanyue, Museum of the King of Nanyue Collection. 玉印 ｜ 西汉南越国 （公元前205年-24年）｜ 西汉南越国时期 1983年南越文王墓出土 南越王博物院藏
A seal inscribed with the name “Zhao Mo” was found on the king’s body. This testifies that the king, who was known as Zhao Hu in the historical records, might have had two names.
From the western side chamber, two clay seal impressions of the name “Mo” were found, suggesting that the king stamped some burial articles with this seal.
Seals of the Crown Prince 太子印章
Gold, Jade | Nanyue period (205-24 BC) of the Western Han Dynasty (202-9 BC)｜Excavated in 1983 from the tomb of the King Wen of Nanyue, Museum of the King of Nanyue Collection. 金印、玉印 ｜ 西汉南越国 （公元前205年-24年）｜ 西汉南越国时期 1983年南越文王墓出土 南越王博物院藏
Two “Crown Prince” “泰子” seals were found in the box on the king’s body. They indicate that the Nanyue Kingdom implemented the “pre-decided crown prince” system borrowed from the Qin and Han Dynasties.
Uncarved Seals of the King 无字印章
Jade, Agate, Turquoise, Crys | Nanyue period (205-24 BC) of the Western Han Dynasty (202-9 BC)｜Excavated in 1983 from the tomb of the King Wen of Nanyue, Museum of the King of Nanyue Collection. 玉印 ｜ 西汉南越国 （公元前205年-24年）｜ 西汉南越国时期 1983年南越文王墓出土 南越王博物院藏
Four uncarved seals were found near the body of the king, while another three were found in the western chamber. They may have had ink inscriptions (waiting to be carved) that disappeared later, or they may have been originally uncarved.
About Chinese National Treasure Series
中華國寶系列 Chinese National Treasure series feature specific artefacts and relics from museums all around the world that are historically significant to be considered a National Treasure. The series covers the 5,000 years of Chinese civilisation from Neolithic periods before the Xia dynasty (c. 2070-1600 BC) to modern day.
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