Upcoming Events

A Reunion of Seals and Seal-Impression Albums: Joint Exhibition of the Chung Jam Hin and Shiqi Caotang Collections

Exhibition Highlights

Chung Jam Hin Collection: 122 Seals by Jiang Mei (1808–1879) along with two and four-volume editions of Qiushuixuan Yincun.

Jiang Mei (1808–1879), courtesy name Yiren and art name Hecha Shannong, was a native of Jiading (Shanghai). A commoner and urban recluse, he excelled in seal carving and clerical script. He compiled his works into Qiushuixuan Yincun (two and four-volume editions), featuring postscripts by Huang Zongqi, Wang Renji and Zhang Rufun. The collection presents only the seal faces, omitting side inscriptions. This exhibition showcases the original catalogues alongside 122 of Jiang’s seals, most of which correspond to the book entries. This reunion of seals and impressions offers rare evidence for studying his carving techniques and stylistic origins.

The Shiqi Caotang Collection: Double-faced Seal by Chen He (1504–1560), Ming Dynasty

The earliest piece in this exhibition is a double-sided seal used by the artist Chen He (1504–1560). Created nearly five centuries ago, its impressions appear on Chen’s own calligraphic works. While records of literati seals from this period (1368–1644) survive mostly as marks on paper, the physical objects are exceptionally rare. The survival of both the calligraphy and the original seal for direct comparison is a truly extraordinary occurrence.