Complete Collection of Chinese Calligraphy. 92. Pre-Qin Seal Impressions Volume

Author: Liu Zhengcheng, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-02-01
Features: This book collects calligraphy works ranging from the Shang and Zhou dynasties to the contemporary era, totaling over one hundred volumes. The volumes are divided into two major categories: 1. Chronological volumes; 2. Calligrapher volumes. Each volume is categorized by era and included in ten major sections, with additional sections for Seal Engraving, Treatises, Appendices, and Addenda. The Chronological volumes include works such as oracle bone inscriptions, bronze inscriptions, bamboo slips, silk documents, pottery and brick inscriptions, steles, epitaphs, carved stones, cliff carvings, sculptures, and Buddhist manuscripts. These works are classified and organized chronologically. The Calligrapher volumes are divided into three types: Class A volumes feature works by a single calligrapher; Class B volumes feature works by two to four calligraphers; Class C volumes feature works by multiple calligraphers or a collective effort within a specific chronological period. The table of contents for each volume, except for the preface and general index, follows the two categories of volume organization.
For Chronological volumes, the structure includes: color illustrations of original artifacts or rubbings, general introductions and specialized discussions, plate illustrations of works, plate annotations, chronology, diagrams showing the distribution of artifact and work discoveries, main reference bibliographies and literature, and plate index.
For Calligrapher volumes, the structure includes: portraits of calligraphers (Class A volumes), color illustrations of original calligraphy albums or selected works, biographical critiques and specialized discussions of calligraphers, general introductions to calligraphy in specific eras (Class C volumes), plate illustrations of works, annotations of works, selected annotations of calligraphers' theories, chronology of calligraphers, diagrams showing calligraphers' movements, main reference bibliographies, and plate index.
In Class A calligrapher volumes, supplementary volumes include relatives and personally instructed disciples of the calligrapher to clarify mutual influences.
The Appendices include: Chronological Table of Chinese Calligraphy (with name index and work index), A Brief Illustrated History of Calligraphy in Ethnic Minority Scripts, A Brief Illustrated History of Calligraphy in Overseas Regions, and A Brief Illustrated History of the Four Treasures of the Study.
The Addenda volumes include important works that could not be accommodated or were overlooked during the compilation process.
All maps in the volumes are based on the Atlas of Chinese History, edited by Tan Qixiang. The book is entirely printed in traditional characters to avoid confusion between ancient and modern scripts.