Complete Collection of Chinese Calligraphy: Volume of Jin Nong and Zheng Banqiao

Author: Liu Zhengcheng Huang Dun
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1997-08-01
Features: This book collects calligraphy works ranging from the Shang and Zhou dynasties to the contemporary era, totaling over one hundred volumes. The organization is 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 Supplementary Notes.
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. 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, excluding the preface and general index, follows the two categories of organization. Chronological volumes include:
- Color illustrations of original artifacts or rubbing copies,
- General introductions and specialized discussions,
- Illustrations of works,
- Explanations of illustrations,
- Chronological tables,
- Maps showing the distribution of artifact and work discoveries,
- Main reference books and bibliographies,
- Illustration index.
Calligrapher volumes include:
- Calligrapher portraits (for Class A volumes),
- Color illustrations of original calligraphy or selected works,
- Biographical evaluations and specialized discussions of calligraphers,
- General introductions to calligraphy in specific eras (for Class C volumes),
- Illustrations of works,
- Explanations of works,
- Selected annotations of calligraphers' theories,
- Chronological tables of calligraphers,
- Maps showing calligraphers' travel routes,
- Main reference books,
- Illustration index.
In Class A calligrapher volumes, supplementary volumes feature relatives and personally instructed disciples of the calligrapher to clarify mutual influences.
The Appendices section includes:
- A chronological record of Chinese calligraphy (with name index and work index),
- A brief illustrated history of calligraphy in minority ethnic scripts,
- A brief illustrated history of calligraphy overseas,
- A brief illustrated history of the Four Treasures of the Study (brush, ink, paper, and inkstone).
The Supplementary Notes section contains several volumes, classifying important works that were not included or overlooked during the compilation process.
All illustrative maps in the book are based on the "Historical Atlas of China" edited by Tan Qixiang. The book is entirely printed in traditional characters to avoid confusion between ancient and modern scripts.