Print Material Collection -- Cultural Relic Appreciation Series

Author: Yuan Huimin (Compiler)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-09-01
Features: The material for making seals is called "ink material." There are many types of ink materials, including gold, silver, copper, jade, stone, crystal, agate, rhino horn, ox horn, ivory, coral, fruit pits, bamboo roots, zitan wood, and yellow poplar wood, etc. Among them, Shoushan Tianhuang stone, Changhua bloodstone, and Bai Furong stone are particularly precious. Precious ink materials, combined with the artist's carving (round sculpture, relief, shallow carving) and the seal carver's engraving, create a "trinity of beauty" that makes them even more valuable. Due to their dual value of appreciation and practicality, they have long been cherished by collectors and scholars, and their prices have continuously risen. This book categorically explains the origins and material characteristics of various ink materials, as well as the techniques of collecting ink materials (including identification, appreciation, investment, and maintenance). It also includes 150 color illustrations of different ink materials, as well as recent price trends in ink material markets. It is a practical, illustrated introductory guide to ink materials. The unique features of this book are:
1. Dividing Chinese seal stones into five major categories, each illustrated with exquisite original stone images. These photographs of the original artifacts are highly typical and unique, and it is rare to gather them all in one book.
2. Providing a comprehensive discussion of the natural beauty of Chinese seal stones, the beauty of their craftsmanship, and the calligraphic beauty of the seals.
3. Systematically introducing the knowledge of identifying seal stones.
4. Exploring the aesthetic value, collection value, investment value, and market price trends of both new and old seal stones. It is believed that the publication of this book will serve as a valuable reference for seal carvers, collectors, and enthusiasts of seal stones.