Chinese seal cutting comes from Chinese calligraphy.
1. Introduction to seal cutting
Seal cutting is a traditional art form, so named because seals in ancient times were mostly printed in seal script. It is the art of combining calligraphy and engraving (including chiseling and casting) to make seals. As far as the production process is concerned, it refers to engraving patterns or words designed on a plane onto metal, stone, teeth, horns and other materials.
Seal marking is an accessory part of the art of seal cutting. What is engraved on the side of the seal is called the side paragraph or side paragraph, and the text engraved on the top of the seal is called the top paragraph. Seals of the Qin and Han dynasties and before the Qin and Han dynasties have not been found to be engraved with inscriptions. Some of the official seals of the Sui Dynasty had the year, month and day of casting engraved on the back of the seal, which is known as the back seal, and should be the earliest seal.
2. A brief history of seal cutting
Seals originated in class society and began to be used as a token of certificate. Later, seals became evidence of rights and interests. During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the uses of seals gradually became more widespread, including seals for naming objects, seals for gold coins, and seals for standard measuring instruments. The Qin and Han Dynasties were the prosperous period of seals. In the Han Dynasty, official seals had formed a complete system, and the shapes of seals were also more diverse.
Three methods of seal cutting:
1. Seal cutting method
Seal cutting method is the understanding of seal script, which is actually the calligraphy of seal text. In ancient times, large seals were used for ancient seals, Miao seals (a kind of seal script with bent and twisted strokes) were used for Han seals, and bird and insect scripts were also used. After the Song and Yuan Dynasties, small seal scripts were mostly used. There is also a kind of seal script that folds the strokes evenly and fills the seal surface, which is called nine-fold seal script.
2. Chapter method
Zhang method is to organize the overall layout according to the seal surfaces of different shapes and sizes, combined with different seals. The arrangement and layout of the seal text is the so-called Fenzhububai. The seal expresses its artistic charm in a small area with a small number of words. Therefore, the words are required to be varied, and the layout must be colorful and artistic.
3. Knife technique
Knife technique, that is, the technique of using a knife when carving a seal. The ancients said that there are thirteen techniques of knife. In actual operation, cutting knife and punching knife are used. The method is mainly used. The lines carved by the cutting knife have a concise effect, while the lines carved by the punching knife have a smooth effect. Famous seal carvers of the Ming and Qing Dynasties all attached great importance to knife skills.