Usually a name stamp is essential for a piece of work. That is to say, there is a seal with your surname, first name, or nickname, etc. This kind of seal is stamped at the end of the signature to indicate the source of the work.
(1) Name stamp
The name stamp is used to sign the inscription. Some names are connected together and some are separated. The inscription and seal should be written with one name and one character, or one surname and one name. The name of the money is printed; the name of the money is printed with a name stamp.
If the payment has a surname, a name seal can be used. If the payment does not have a surname, or if there is no signature, a name seal should be used to facilitate the identification of the author. The ancients paid attention to etiquette when using seals; when a humble child writes to an elder, a name seal should be used; among ordinary people, a character seal should be used; when an elder writes to a humble child, a special name seal should be used. On the contrary, it will make people laugh. Modern calligrapher and painter Zhang Daqian believes that the shape of name stamps is "square is the best, round is okay, but if the waist is round, the natural shape is not suitable."
Name stamps are generally divided into Zhuwen (Yangwen) and Baiwen (Yangwen). Yinwen) two kinds. When there are two name seals on a calligraphy work, it is best to have one in red and one in white, and the two chapters should be of appropriate size. When multiple chapters are used at the end of the payment, the order is the name seal first, then the word and number seals.
(2) Xianzhang
Xianzhang is also called layout chapter, including leading chapter, edge seal, corner seal and waist seal.
The introductory chapter is a seal stamped on the upper right side of a calligraphy work. It is also called a "conforming seal". It is a seal carved according to the shape of the stone. Generally, it should not be square, but should be semi-open or semi-open. Rectangle, circle, semicircle, gourd shape, natural shape, zodiac shape, etc. are preferred.
Border seals refer to the seals placed on one side of a calligraphy work, which serve to block the edges and gather energy.
The seal that is placed on the corner of a calligraphy work is called a corner seal. The upper right corner is called "Yingshou", and the two lower corners are called "Yijiao". The edge seal can only be used on one side; the corner seal can be used on both sides. It closes to the corner and plays the role of "blocking the edge and sealing the corners", "filling the void" and adjusting and stabilizing the picture.
If a long calligraphy work such as a banner only has an introductory stamp on the upper right and the middle looks empty, a waist stamp can be added. The content is mostly the place of origin of the calligrapher, and the calligrapher's zodiac sign can also be used. Shape seal. The waist seal should be smaller than the initial seal and the last name seal, and the three seals should not be stamped in a straight line.
(3) Appreciation and Collection Seal
The Appreciation and Collection Seal is a seal used by appreciators and collectors. According to reports, the collection seal also began in the Tang Dynasty and became popular after the Song Dynasty. Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty used the two characters "Zhenguan" in his own calligraphy as a series of seals, and Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty made a series of seals with the characters "Kaiyuan", both of which were used in the imperial collection of calligraphy and paintings.
Later on, there were many names for appreciation, such as collection, treasure, appraisal, appreciation, inspection, etc. When sealing seals for collection, the size of the calligraphy and painting should be considered, and the main thing is not to damage the words and pictures. Some collectors, in order to preserve their reputation through the ages, often destroy the picture when stamping. This should be avoided.
Extended information:
Zhubai text seal
The alternating red and white text seal is very ingenious in Chinese seals, and it is said that it originated in the Eastern Han Dynasty. Its methods are extremely diverse, and the position arrangement and number of characters of Zhubai characters can be flexibly changed without limitation. This is evident from the number of prints cited here. The principle of Zhubai is roughly based on the number of strokes. Most Zhuwen has fewer strokes, while Baiwen has fewer strokes, so as to achieve the harmonious effect of Zhurubai, Bairuzhu. This type of seal is mostly a private seal with stable workmanship. See used for official seal.
Zimu Seal
Zimu Seal, also known as "Xi Seal", originated in the Eastern Han Dynasty and became popular in the Wei, Jin and Six Dynasties. It is a seal made of two or three large and small square seals. . If the belly of the human body is empty, one or two small seals can be placed appropriately to form the shape of a mother carrying a child. There are also those that incorporate two seals from one side (such as the "Guo Yi" seal in the right column) to form a set of three sides. The volume of one seal contains the use value of several seals, which shows the craftsmanship of ancient seal makers.
Six-sided seals
There are few actual six-sided seals handed down from ancient times. This kind of "convex"-shaped seal has a hole in the nose of the seal, which can be worn on a belt. A small seal is made on the end of the nose. Together with the other five seals, it is called a six-sided seal. A typical style of six-sided seals handed down from ancient times is white text with margins. Each character is one line, dense at the top and sparse at the bottom. The vertical strokes of the seal are mostly long and drooping, and the ends are pointed and thin, like hanging needles, so it has the common name of "hanging needle seal script" .
Although this style still has the advantages of stretching the brushstrokes and contrasting the density and density, it can easily become vulgar and is far inferior to the richness of the Han seal. Therefore, seal carvers have always only used it occasionally.
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