My random notes on Chinese-style seal carving.
Talking Seals
Different Stones Are Different
30 August 2024 No Comments
Some stones are more absorbent than others.
Balin
16 June 2024 No Comments
Balin, a popular stone for seals, has been mined in north China only since 1973.
Shoushan
16 June 2024 No Comments
Shoushan is one of the three most popular forms of stone traditionally used for carving seals.
Qingtian
13 June 2024 No Comments
Qingtian is one of the three most popular varieties of stone used to make seals.
Seal Handles
1 May 2017 No Comments
Early Chinese bronze seals for official use often had long handles.
Don’t Bruise Your Stone
15 April 2017 No Comments
Most soft stone, like that used for seal carving, can be bruised.
Stampeding Horses
1 April 2017 4 Comments
Someone recently sent pictures of a carving of stampeding horses asking if the stone was shoushan.
Hard White Erasers
1 March 2017 No Comments
The Japanese sometimes cut seal designs into the end of a hard white eraser.
Collecting Seal Stones
15 December 2016 No Comments
Some collectors enjoy seals because of their stones.
Is It Soapstone?
15 October 2015 No Comments
“What stone is it?” is one of the most often asked question about Chinese seals.