Two Han inscriptions on gold

Author: Compiled by the Press
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-07-01
Features: The Great Series of Chinese Folk Calligraphy. Jinwen, also known as Zhongdingwen, refers to the inscriptions on ancient Chinese bronze artifacts. It originated in the Shang Dynasty, flourished in the Zhou Dynasty, and remained popular until the Han Dynasty. The methods of creating Jinwen can be divided into three categories: casting, inlaying, and carving. Cast Jinwen were molded together with the bronze artifacts. Inlaid Jinwen were created through the gold-inlaying technique. Carved Jinwen were chiseled onto the finished artifacts, most commonly seen in the Qin and Han Dynasties, with the largest quantity found in Han artifacts. Among the carved Jinwen of the Han Dynasty, the method of combining Seal Script (Zhuanshu) and Clerical Script (Lishu) has been widely adopted and is particularly noteworthy since modern times. The combination of Seal Script and Clerical Script did not have a fixed ratio established in the Han Dynasty; it was entirely based on the author's preference. However, the ratio of Seal Script to Clerical Script in the combination directly determines the degree to which the structure of the characters leans toward ancient or modern aesthetics. Therefore, the specific ratio used in the combination is precisely what defines the different methods of Seal and Clerical Script integration. Based on the specific examples of Seal and Clerical Script integration in Han carved Jinwen, all the methods can be broadly divided into three categories. The first category of method prioritizes Seal Script in the combination, with only slight influence from Clerical Script. Examples of this include inscriptions on the Lid of the Lü Ding, the Yingyang Ding, and the Shouchengshi Ding. The second category of method gives equal weight to Seal Script and Clerical Script, making it difficult to determine which is the primary element. This is evident in inscriptions on the Yongyuyang Ding and the Yumuli Taoling Ding. The third category of method prioritizes Clerical Script, with Seal Script serving as a supplementary element. Examples of this include inscriptions on the Guangling Fushi Guan Ding, the Kunyang Chengyu Ding, and the Yangxin Tonglou. Although Han carved Jinwen constitute only a small portion of ancient Chinese Jinwen and involve fewer than a thousand unique characters, they have significantly contributed to the development of modern Chinese calligraphy and seal carving art. The role played by these Han carved Jinwen in this process is not only due to the artistic techniques of the creators, which can be emulated, but also to the immortal spirit of these creators who inherited tradition, boldly explored new horizons, and dared to innovate.