Word as Image: The Art of Chinese Seal Engraving
字如画：中国篆刻艺术

Seal engraving, a special subcategory of Chinese calligraphy, is a highly regarded art form that dates back to the Bronze Age in China. Seals represent the signatures or a commendatory phrase of either the artist or collector. The seal is engraved in reverse on stone, jade, metal, or any other hard material and seal ink is used to impress a correct image on paper or silk. Most seals are engraved with a type of script, known as seal script or zhuanshu 篆书, that is widely used on ancient monuments. This exhibition explored the development and cultural significance of seal engraving by examining over seventy seals, impressions, calligraphies, ancient objects, and woodblock-printed books.