Four characters meaning "the retired emperor" are engraved on the surface of the seal. [File photo/Asianewsphotos]

A round jade seal of Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) has sold for $25.3 million at an auction in Beijing, Dec 6, 2011.

The auction starting price was $10.69 million and ended the highest auction record for white jade articles.

The seal was made in 1795 when Qianlong (1711-1799), the 6th emperor of the Qing Dynasty was titled "Retied Emperor" after resigning from the throne but still in power. It is the only round seal among more than 20 made in that year.