Shanghai Jiyunge Seal Carving

Shanghai Jiyunge Seal Carving

　　Seal carving is one of China's traditional art forms with a long history. During the pre-Qin and Han-Wei periods, seals were carved by artisans and achieved high artistic standards. From the Sui and Tang dynasties onward, each period developed its own distinctive styles and characteristics. It is said that starting from the Yuan Dynasty, painter Wang Mian began using huamushi stone as seal material due to its ease of carving, which led to wider popularity. By the Ming and Qing dynasties, with more unearthed artifacts containing seals, a wealth of reference materials became available, leading to a growing trend among scholars and officials to study seal carving. As a result, many renowned seal carvers and schools emerged.

　　The seal materials used at Jiyunge are carefully selected, and the shop offers a wide range of materials for making seals, covering five major categories: jade, stone, bronze, ivory, and horn. Jade seals include tiger stone, Dushan jade, and Xinzhi stone—crystal clear and dazzlingly lustrous. Stone seals consist of Shoushan stone, Qingtian stone, and Changhua stone, all with smooth textures and rich, vibrant colors. Among them, the world-rare Tianhuang stone and Chicken Blood stone are both precious seal materials, possessing intrinsic artistic value. The bronze seals from Jiyunge feature classic, rustic designs crafted with unique artisan skill. There are also snow-white ivory seals, pitch-black ox horn seals, and a variety of elegant seal knobs with exquisite carvings.

　　Shanghai Jiyunge Seal Carving Studio specializes in providing seal carving services for foreign guests, overseas Chinese, and tourists. The studio has conducted in-depth research on the seal carving art of the Ming and Qing dynasties in the Zhejiang region, demonstrating great expertise and producing seals with refined craftsmanship.