Chinese Seal Engraving Dictionary

Author: Li Yifeng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-03-01
Features: This dictionary is a specialized reference work introducing the history and art of Chinese seal carving. It is divided into three parts: the dictionary section, the character section, and the appendix, aiming to provide researchers with explanations of seal carving terminology, related materials, and the various seal scripts, composition methods, and cutting techniques of Chinese characters in seals from different dynasties. This comprehensive dictionary is suitable for seal carving scholars, seal carvers, and enthusiasts, as well as serving as a reference for studies in calligraphy, epigraphy, archaeology, paleography, and art history. The dictionary entries include topics such as seal carving history, seal carving terminology, seal carving theory, seal carving literature, seal systems, seal categories, seal carving techniques, seal carving schools, seal carvers, seal carving materials and tools, as well as entries related to interdisciplinary fields, totaling over 4,700 entries. The seal carving terms included in this dictionary are based on historical records, art treatises, and various original materials, combined with textual evidence, etymological research, and modern dictionary annotations for definitions. The dictionary contains approximately 2,000 commonly used character seals and about 30,000 ancient seal impressions from the ancient seal period to later dynasties. To maintain the integrity of the seals, all seals included in this dictionary are presented in full. For easy identification, dots are marked on selected characters, while single-character seals are not dotted. Seals are arranged in the order of ancient seals, Han seals, school seals, and anonymous seals. School seals are generally arranged by the stroke order of the authors' surnames. For multiple seals of the same category or by the same artist, only the last seal is marked with its category and author.