Qin Sealing Clay Collection

Author: Zhou Xiaolu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-01-01
Features: Qin Seals and Seal Impressions is divided into two parts: the Upper Part "Discussions on Qin Seal Impressions" and the Lower Part "Interpretations of Qin Seal Impressions." The Upper Part reviews the history of the discovery and study of seal impressions and discusses the scientific value of Qin seal impressions from various perspectives, such as Qin imperial research, Qin official research, Qin geographical research, and Qin seal research. The Lower Part classifies and interprets Qin seal impressions from angles such as "Central and Official," "Geography and Local Officials," and "Names." It must be acknowledged that the author's work is meticulous and thorough. Several insights demonstrate deep understanding and originality. Some conclusions provide readers with previously unknown knowledge, while specialists can also benefit from the insights. For example, the interpretation of the "Seal of the Commandant of Shang Commandery" reveals the special status of Fusu as the military supervisor in Shang Commandery, and the interpretation of the "Seal of the Western Attendant" suggests that "Western" may refer to the name of the "Afang Palace." These insights are bold and innovative, though not yet conclusively proven, they offer a valuable perspective. Of course, as some scholars have pointed out, "there are still points open to debate in the interpretation of certain seal impressions and specific conclusions," and even the dating of some varieties still leaves room for further discussion. Like any academic pioneering process, such circumstances are understandable. Regarding the dating criteria used, the author sincerely states: "The dating standards we propose must also be tested by practice, and we believe that future discoveries will continue to refine our opinions to better align with objective reality." Such an attitude clearly reflects a spirit of pursuing truth-seeking in science.