Emperor Qianlong's Imperially Appointed Heirloom Calligraphy Anthology

Author: None
Publisher: Kunlun Publishing House
Publishing Time: None
Features: A Chinese She Inkstone (supervised by the head of Huangshan Leixin Tang) - The special She inkstone for the "Qianlong Imperially Appointed Inheritance Collection" is one of China's four famous inkstones, She inkstone. Crafted by skilled artisans based on the original form of the mine stone, each inkstone has a unique shape, with no two being identical. To ensure the perfect harmony between the special inkstone and the "Qianlong Imperially Appointed Inheritance Collection," a master inkstone designer, Mr. Fang Shao, the head of Huangshan Leixin Tang, was commissioned to lead the design and supervision, accompanied by a century-old camphor wood inkstone stand. The inkstone stand not only exudes a scholarly ambiance but also offers the effect of repelling insects and warding off evil. The inkstone and stand are seamlessly integrated, complementing each other and filling the room with a fragrant aroma. It holds practical, artistic, collectible, and appreciative value.
A certificate of collection (photocopy of the signature of the head of the editorial committee): It lists the names of the six calligraphy works, with the bottom showing the authentic calligraphy of Qianlong for the preface to the "Sanxi Tang Shiqu Baoji Fa" and retaining numbered labels, with a total of 2,000 copies.
A bookplate (seal of a renowned seal engraver): A bookplate is a specialized mark for books and is a unique form of art that has long been valued by collectors in Europe, America, and Japan. After its introduction to China, it quickly became an important part of social and cultural life, much like stamp collecting. The "Qianlong Imperially Appointed Inheritance Collection" is a remarkable achievement in China's publishing industry, hence a bookplate featuring Wang Xizhi's "Kuaixue Shiqing" and bearing the seal of a renowned seal engraver was specially included. It holds collectible and appreciative value.
Four visual CDs (Photoshop CD-R): The CDs collect all the calligraphy works in the collection, maintaining the same size ratio as the original works. If you want to study a particular piece, you can enlarge it on your computer screen.
Emperor Qianlong had a deep passion for calligraphy. Over the years, he painstakingly sought out famous calligraphy works from past dynasties, personally reviewed, commented on, and imperially appointed many inherited collections, compiling the pinnacle of Chinese calligraphy art. This act by Qianlong was a foundational project in the history of Chinese cultural construction, preserving invaluable calligraphy originals for future generations. Just as his decade-long effort to compile the "Siku Quanshu" (Complete Library of the Four Treasuries) shines across the world, both are twin peaks in the mountain of Chinese cultural heritage, equally magnificent and unparalleled.
Dong Shi, the Grand Secretary of the court, praised: "Your Majesty has a deep understanding of the profound, with a learning that spans the classics and history. In your leisure time, you delve deeply into the subtleties of the eight principles of calligraphy. Your calligraphy is like clouds and feathers in the wind, as powerful as dragons soaring. You have synthesized the works of many schools and captured the essence of Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi. Furthermore, you have critically appraised and meticulously studied the craftsmanship and authenticity of calligraphy from various masters, as clear as a mirror reflecting everything. Your dedication to collecting ancient calligraphy and bestowing wisdom upon scholars, as well as your commitment to shaping the culture for generations to come, is truly unmatched."
Chinese calligraphy works are as vast as the stars, countless and endlessly beautiful. It is not easy to collect them all, so the focus is on excellence. The "Qianlong Imperially Appointed Inheritance Collection," which includes the "Imperially Carved Sanxi Tang Shiqu Baoji Fa," "Imperially Carved Moxuan Fa," "Imperially Appointed Tianping Qi Fa," "Imperially Appointed Shiqing Qi Fa," "Lanting Eight Columns," and "Imperially Appointed Re-carved Chunhua Pavilion," are all imperially appointed by Qianlong and represent the finest of Chinese calligraphy art. They embody our pursuit of excellence and carry the spirit of "striving for the best." As Li Bai once said, "When you stand atop the peak, you see all the mountains beneath you."
Despite this, the collection is vast, which may make browsing a bit challenging, much like the inevitable struggles after discovering a treasure in "Aladdin's Cave."
All the calligraphy works in the "Qianlong Imperially Appointed Inheritance Collection" are based on the original prints preserved in the National Library of China. Only a few dozen copies of these original prints exist, gifted to Qianlong's favored imperial relatives and their children, making them rare and invaluable to ordinary readers. To truly capture the original appearance of the calligraphy works and maintain their authenticity, we focused entirely on the works throughout the production process. Our goal was to create the perfect representation of the calligraphy, ensuring that readers enjoy the essence of the art and are delighted to add these treasures to their collections.