Imperial jade seals of China: transformations of content and form, artistic features

Abstract

The great imperial seals, one of the most prominent jade articles in ancient China, were of great significence in those times. Two of its main components – a carved ornament on the top and a stamp, were not merely symbols of the feudal era, but also demonstrated the high level of technical proficiency of visual arts in ancient China. In the context of the history of the origin and development of jade seals, this article highlights the issues of evoluiton in content, form, and artistic features of the art of large imperial jade seals as it was developing during the long history of Chinese art. The article also highlights the relevance of formal and substantive features of jade seals in contemporary Chinese art, particularly in other types and genres of jade plastic arts. The form of imperial seals was developed during the early days of the Zhou dynasty. The nearly 3,000-year history of its development, spanning the Spring and Autumn period, the Warring States, Qin, Han, Sui and Tai, Song and Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, has contributed to the abundance of jade seals, their variety and the richness of their forms. During the first feudal dynasty of China - Qin, when the first highly centralized political system was established, the large imperial seal became a symbol of the emperor's power, and had administrative and social significance. The imperial jade seal had retained its status in long history of China until the end of Qing dynasty. During this period, its form and content were gradually enriched, and a unique and successive culture of the great imperial seal had been created.