In continuing with our series on Chinese seals. Sinorama this month features another of the stalactite stones, t'ao-hua-tung. Like the other signet stones, t'ao-hua-tung is most abundant in the mountains of Changhua County, Chekiang Province on the mainland.
T'ao-hua, or "peach blossom", is an appropriate name for this stone because the colorful, embedded patterns resemble the delicate petals of the peach blossom. The stone bears colors of many hues such as white and yellow, but its glistening red shades are by far the most beautiful. Red, according to Chinese tradition, symbolizes good luck and prosperity, and the red-colored t'ao-hua-tung has always been popular at engagement and wedding celebrations.
Li C'hi-mao's collection of seal stones contains many fine pieces of Ching Dynasty t'ao-hua-tung. The engraved stone "two dragons playing with the pearl", (shuang-lung-hsi-chu), for example, is exquisitely carved, yet retains a classic simplicity.
T'ao-hua-tung, like other seal stones, must be protected from too much exposure to sunlight. Continued exposure to the sun's rays will cause the lustrous shades to fade.
In last month's issue of Sinorama readers were introduced to the practical uses of the Chinese seal. This month Sinorama will examine the various types of personal seals.
There are four basic types of personal seals: The Szu-tseng-yin (sending, conferring gifts), Hua-ya-yin (documentation), Shou-ts'ang-yin (collection) and the Hsien-chang (artistic seal).
Szu refers to the emperor's personal seal which was affixed to gifts or commendations bestowed upon his advisors and ministers.
The Tseng-yin was the seal that ordinary people used when exchanging gifts or greetings with friends.
Hua-ya-yin started in the Five Dynasty Period (the era before the T'ang dynasty, 420-618 A.D.).
The Shou-ts'ang-yin was the seal that artists and art collectors affixed to their works.
The Hsien-chang was a decorative seal that artists used in addition to their own personal name seal. It was used solely for artistic purposes.
(Gerald Hatherly)
