Seal depicting legend valued for good stone
By Zhao Dan |
November 1, 2009, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
GENERALLY, what makes a seal valuable is the calligraphy and cutting skills of the stamp.
However, a seal displayed in Shanghai Museum is highly cherished because of the relief carving on its upper body and also the stone itself.
The seal, named "The Eight Immortals with the God of Longevity," depicts an ancient folk legend with which Chinese people are very familiar.
The eight immortals, each holding a distinguished tool with power to give life or destroy evil to represent their own personality and expertise, are vividly carved around the seal body.
The stone piece conveys traditional good wishes with the happy scene that the immortals and the God of Longevity present.
The mountains and trees are exquisitely carved on the seal body with intricate but balanced design. The relief reflects a masterful skill and gorgeous carving techniques.
What's more, the seal is invaluable for the quality of the stone used.
The name of the material is "Tian Huang," meaning yellow stone excavated in the field, as it can only be found in a field no bigger than 1 square kilometer in Shoushan, Fujian Province.
It is considered "soft precious stone," and the "king of stone," and is even valued much more than gold.
After hundreds of year's excavation, there is little of the stone remaining to be dug out, so the artistically enhanced stones of "Tian Huang" are highly valued.
The quality of the stone is soft and exquisite so it is the best material for seal carving.
Its bright yellow color makes it especially enchanting to seal collectors.
The combination of the skillful carving of the relief and the highly valued and rare stone enhances the artistic value of the seal and makes it a priceless collectable.
However, a seal displayed in Shanghai Museum is highly cherished because of the relief carving on its upper body and also the stone itself.
The seal, named "The Eight Immortals with the God of Longevity," depicts an ancient folk legend with which Chinese people are very familiar.
The eight immortals, each holding a distinguished tool with power to give life or destroy evil to represent their own personality and expertise, are vividly carved around the seal body.
The stone piece conveys traditional good wishes with the happy scene that the immortals and the God of Longevity present.
The mountains and trees are exquisitely carved on the seal body with intricate but balanced design. The relief reflects a masterful skill and gorgeous carving techniques.
What's more, the seal is invaluable for the quality of the stone used.
The name of the material is "Tian Huang," meaning yellow stone excavated in the field, as it can only be found in a field no bigger than 1 square kilometer in Shoushan, Fujian Province.
It is considered "soft precious stone," and the "king of stone," and is even valued much more than gold.
After hundreds of year's excavation, there is little of the stone remaining to be dug out, so the artistically enhanced stones of "Tian Huang" are highly valued.
The quality of the stone is soft and exquisite so it is the best material for seal carving.
Its bright yellow color makes it especially enchanting to seal collectors.
The combination of the skillful carving of the relief and the highly valued and rare stone enhances the artistic value of the seal and makes it a priceless collectable.
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