Ch'ing-t'ien stone gets its name from the area in Chekiang province from which it was mined. Mining in large quantities began during the Ming dynasty.
Ch'ing-t'ien stone was mined in a limited area. Specimens suitable for carving into seals are quite rare.
Its popularity is due to its many light colors such as blue-green, yellow, white, black, gray, and green. It is not as brilliantly colored as the Chicken Blood stone and the T'ien Huang stone. It is also popular because it is easier to carve than the stones already introduced in this series and is cheaper than those stones.
The usual shape of a seal is oblong, but some seals are unusual in form. The most important variant shapes are introduced below: Stringed seal. This seal is also known as the two surface stringed seal. This is cut in a square shape with carvings on the top and bottom and a hole in the middle to make it easy to carry.
Four surface seal. This evolved from the two surface stringed seal. It is also in a square shape, but with six surfaces; two used for the hole, the others used for carving.
Five surface seal. This is also in the shape of a square, but one surface is sculptured while the others have characters carved on them.
Six surface seal. This has a pillar-like holder, on the tip of which are carved words, just as on the five remaining surfaces of the seal proper.
Mother and son seal. This ingenious seal consists of a holder and the actual seal itself. The seal fits into the holder, much like a child fits into its mother's womb.
Three part seal. During the Warring States period, the Ch'u nation had a seal in three parts which formed a circle when combined.
Hooked seal. This is in the shape of an animal, with seal carvings underneath the hook which is attached to the animal shape. The hook was provided for convenience in carrying.
Mother and son seal. This ingenious seal consists of a holder and the actual seal itself. The seal fits into the holder, much like a child fits into its mother's womb.
Hooked seal. This is in the shape of an animal, with seal carvings underneath the hook which is attached to the animal shape. The hook was provided for convenience in carrying.
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