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CHINESE SEALS
A lecture delivered on Monday, 12 June 1961
Dr. T. Y. Li, M.D. (H.K.)
A few preliminary remarks on some terminology used in connection with this subject may be of advantage if a brief definition is to be made beforehand,
(1) The term "seal" has been used (a) to denote the whole substance and (b) the impression made. It is now proposed that the seal substance be known as “matrix” 印材 and the impression made by the seal as "seal impression" 印拓.
(2) "Intaglio": This means cutting the desired symbol down below the surface of the material. In this way we have white letter seals 白文,翰文.
(3)
(4)
"Relief": This means leaving the device standing up beyond the plane of the surface and cutting away the surrounding blank portion. In this way we have "red letter seals " 朱文,陽文.
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Decoration *. Originally this part was the handle of the seal, but later on it was being made into different decorative articles such as animals, flowers etc. It also includes the cord or string attached to it.
(5) "Inscription": This means writings or pictures made on the side or top of the matrix.
To present a complete study of Chinese seals would take a complete book and it certainly cannot be done in such a short article, because the art of Chinese seal-making embraces Chinese calligraphy, principles of design and composition, classification of seals and the technique of seal engraving. The present article, however, only attempts to present the subject in its historical setting in a simple and concise way so as to serve as an introduction to this subject.
Chinese history recorded the terms hsi or and yin 印 in the Chou Dynasty (1122-221 B.C.). It was thought that the
* Dr. Li is a keen student of Chinese art, and has accumulated a large collection of seals and publications on this subject for his own study and relaxation.