Famous Chinese Seal Artist Wu Changshuo (Essay Sample)

Famous Chinese Seal Artist – Wu Changshuo (1844-1927)
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Wu Changshu was a Chinese Seal Artist famous for his many works. Some of his masterpieces are found in the Museum of Wu Changshu until now. He was born on September 12, 1844 in Anji County, Zhejiang to a scholarly family (Kee, 2014). He began to learn poetry and seal carving because his family was poor and in the middle of a civil war. During his lifetime, he also acquired other skills including calligraphy and painting.
Sample 1: Shoushan stone seal
Implementing his excellent engraving skills, Wu Changshuo carved a Shoushan Stone seal. Wu lightly engraved the seal with a landscape design. Wu cut the seal in 1917 using a Shoushan Stone. The seal measures 4.2cm in length, 4.2cm in width and has a height of 11.4cm. The seal was signed, dated and inscribed by Wu. The seal is presently valued at $2000-$3000. The seal is preserved in national museums and available for exhibition.
Figure 1: The Shoushan Stone Seal
Sample 2: A small antique Tianhuang Stone Seal
This is one of the seals attributed to Wu Changshuo (1844-1927). He carved the seal from the Tianhuang soapstone during the late Qing Period. The top of the seal is decorated with a final form of a lion, and the stone is wrapped with a golden silver coating. The seal has a square base measuring 2.1cm and a height of 4.6cm. Chungshuo’s family members currently offered the seal, and its value is $500-$1000. The seal is also known as the Zhao Shuru’s seal.
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