Posted 2018/3/28
The emergence and use of seals, or "stamps" are generally believed to originate in China between the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period.
There were numerous types of seals, which basically fall into the two categories of official seals and personal seals. Official seals were those used by government institutions issued by the imperial court. Such seals were symbols of power, official rank and nobility rank. The rules and regulations for official seals varied in past dynasties. Apart from different names, the shape, size, text and style of the seals were all different. All seals other than official ones were collectively called personal seals. The categorization of personal seals is complicated. They can be divided into various types according to the meaning of the text, the way the words are arranged, making method, seal material and forming structure of the seals.
The names of seals had a long history of evolution. Before the Qin Dynasty, all seals were called "xi" (literally "imperial seals"). After the Qin's unification of the six states, the word "xi" only referred to the seals used by the emperor. These seals were usually made of jade, hence the name of "yuxi" or "imperial jade seal". All other seals, official or personal, were renamed "yin" or "stamps". It was not until the Han Dynasty that the name of "yinzhang" or "seal" was applied to official seals.
Originally, seals only served as evidence for goods transactions in business activities. After Emperor Qinshihuang unified the country, seals became the symbols of authority for those in power and mostly used for sealing up documents, preventing them from being opened without permission. Seals were also used for verification. Later, seals are used on paintings and calligraphy works as inscriptions, becoming one of the unique Chinese works of art.
A lot of materials can be chosen for seal making. Before and during the Qin and Han Dynasties, seals were mostly made of bronze and jade, with some made of gold or silver. The materials were diversified after the Tang Dynasty. Apart from metals and jade, ivory, rhinoceros horn, pottery and porcelain were all used for seal making. Stone seals were popular in the Yuan Dynasty. Seals of different dynasties had different features in terms of their shapes, seal scripts, carving techniques, textures and colors etc.
The shapes, materials, texts and collections of impressions of seals all have their own artistic and aesthetic values.
