Qin Stone Drum Script

Author: Editorial Board of Selected Calligraphies from Ancient Inscriptions
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1984-10-01
Features: The Shigudu script, also known as "Great Seal," falls between ancient script and Qin seal script. It is an important resource for studying China's Great Seal script and its evolution into small seal script. The calligraphy exhibits a robust and harmonious style, with strokes resembling bent iron. Kang Youwei's Shujing (Mirror of Calligraphy) described it as: "Gold filigree falls to the ground, and orchid grass clusters like clouds—no need for deliberate arrangement, as it naturally possesses extraordinary charm." Pan Di's Shigudu Yinxun (Sound and Meaning of Shigudu) stated: "The characters and strokes are noble and ancient, surpassing those of the Qin and Han dynasties and below. Calligraphers specializing in seal script must regard it as a model." Since the Tang and Song dynasties, all calligraphers skilled in seal script have revered the Shigudu script. Particularly in the late Qing Dynasty, with the rise of "stele studies," the influence of Shigudu calligraphy became even more widespread.