Introduction
The art of seal carving has a long and profound history, dating back to ancient times before the Qin Dynasty. It has continued to thrive through the periods of Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing, and even the Republican era, with various renowned schools and styles. Within the limited space of a seal, it encompasses a myriad of artistic expressions.The history of seals and seal carvings is an impressive collection contributed by seals with various functions and purposes, including pictorial seals, official seals, private seals, seals of assorted idioms and collector’s seals.
The art of seal carving can be presented through "yintui" (seal impressions), "yinping" (seal screens), or "yinpu" (seal catalogs). These methods capture the impressions made by carved seals, preserving the visual representation of the seal design. The main purpose is to collect a wide range of seal patterns and verify inscriptions, providing resources for research, appreciation, and practice.The National Palace Museum has a substantial collection of seal catalogs from the former imperial collection of the Qing Dynasty, as well as donations from various sources. These catalogs offer many remarkable pieces that can be appreciated. For this exhibition, a selection of several notable pieces has been chosen to be shared with the public.