Tuesday 23 February 2021 service 7

What's On Editor’s Pick In Memory Of Qian Daxin Precious ancient seals have a human story to tell

highlights

A visitor takes pictures of the calligraphy during the exhibition. — Qin Jian Paintings, calligraphy and other works by Jiading native Qian Daxin (1728- 1804), a great scholar in the (1644-1911), are on display at Jiading Museum. Qian was granted a xiucai title in 1754 and was accepted by the Ziyang Academy, becoming known by the public as one of the “Seven Scholars in Wuzhong.” He had a profound knowledge of literature and was especially interested in histo- riography, phonetics, etymology, cal- endars and epigraphy. He wrote many books investigating ancient histories which provided valuable resources for research today. Date: Through February 28 (closed on Mondays) Venue: Jiading Museum Visitors admire precious seals in various shapes and sizes at the Han Tianheng Art Museum. — All photos by Qin Jian Address: 215 Bole Rd 博乐路215号 Yu Hong 1644), another peak of cutting secret, telling a story during the mak- in the Ming and Qing dynasties was ing process. Visitors are advised to take grand seals exhibition at formed. a close look at what Deng carved. ‘Charm of Petites’ Han Tianheng Art The seals were practical in the past, Seal albums are also featured in the Museum tells the story of their but no longer had that function in the exhibition. While seal-making is thriv- history and development. The A mid- after scholars could ing, a group of scholars have sprung display not only has seals, albums and make a seal of their own instead of ask- up to collect the prints. Their attention materials collected by the museum ing professionals to make one. Since to traditional ancient xi promoted the but has also borrowed 580 items from then, seals weren’t limited to owners’ emergence and development of seal the Xiling Seal Engraver’s Society and names, but included poems to express prints. These seal albums not on ly have Henan Seal Society, both renow ned seal self-ambition as well. Such trends value for academic research, collecting societies in , and private collec- passed down to the Qing Dynasty with and art, but are also an opportunity tors at home and abroad. More than 70 a variety of styles popping up, reaching to learn. percent of the exhibits are being seen another peak of Chinese seal-cutting. During the reign of Emperor Longq- in public for the first time in this feast On display are 116 seals made during ing (1567-1572), Shanghainese Gu of China’s seal culture. An Isetta car manufactured by the period, covering artists including Congde collected seals made in the Seals have accompanied human de- BMW is on display at Shanghai Wen Peng, He Zhen, Deng Shiru, Wu Qin and Han dynasties to make Gu’s velopment and were important tokens Auto Museum. — Qin Jian Xizai and . Ancient Seal Album. It was a yuanda or certificates during social communi- Wen and He were called the found- album which means a collection gath- The first exhibition of 2021 at cation. Apart from their practical use, ers of Ming and Qing seal-carving. A ering paper with patterns affixed by Shanghai Auto Museum, “Charm of China’s seals have value as art. The story recorded by Zhou Lianggong, an seals. The album only issued 20 sets, Petites,” showcases a collection of first seal in China was thought to have expert of seals in the Qing Dynasty, which made it more valuable. small and micro cars. “Don’t judge a been made 3,000 years ago in the Shang tells that Wen, the eldest son of master Apa rt from sea ls a nd a lbu ms, the ma- car by its size” is the idea the curator Dynasty (16th-11th centuries BC). painter (1470-1559), terial and their handling are another wants to promote. Although some Before Emperor Qingshihuang in the was intrigued by stones carried by an important aspects of the exhibition. cars are small, there are unexpected Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) unified the old farmer, so asked where they came surprises for visitors. Well-known country, all the seals were called xi (玺) from. The farmer said they were from China Seal Culture Exhibition and classic vehicles such as the Mini and varied from kingdom to kingdom, Chuzhou (today’s Qingtian County in Date: Through March 30 (closed on Cooper and Fiat 500 which were not only in shape and size, but also Province) and used as hair Mondays) designed for family travel and the the characters on it. Xi was officially decorations for women because of their Admission: Free Isetta manufactured by BMW looking used for royal families only after the soft texture. Venue: Han Tianheng Art Museum like an egg with four wheels are all on establishment of Qin, while officials Wen spent a great amount of money Address: 70 Bole Rd display. The exhibition also com- and residents could only use yin (印) buying stones to take back home so he 博乐路70号 bines modern technologies to focus or zhang (章). could carve his own instead of asking on the visitor experience. Through One highlight of the exhibition is a craftsman to do the work. multimedia interaction, visitors can a seal made of gold during the Three Only two seals made by Wen have become involved in several immersive Kingdoms Period (AD 220-280) with been passed down, making them even scenes. Monthly charity events and a tortoise on top. In ancient times, more precious. parent-child courses in relation to this there was a strict rule of seal usage Another highlight was a seal made by exhibition will be launched, so that no as seals represented the dignity of a He, a professional seal carver who had a matter whether parents with children, man, and on ly h igh-level officials could wide influence at that time. There was a hipster keen on design or just a fan use one. a saying that every resident was proud of vehicles, you can find your favorite After paper was widely used in the to have a seal made by He. The one on through the many activities in the Southern and Northern Dynasties (AD display records the love story between museum. 420-581), seals were used more often Wang Zhideng and Ma Xianglan. Date: Through March 15 (closed on on paper rather than bamboo or wood Also on display is a seal created by Mondays) slips, which gave birth to the inkpad Deng Shiru, founder of the Wan Style A gold seal with a tortoise on top is Ticket: 60 yuan and drove the development of seal. during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It made during the Three Kingdoms Venue: Shanghai Auto Museum With scholars blooming during the looks ordinary, but the words carved Period (AD 220-280) and represents Address: 7565 Boyuan Rd mid- and late Ming Dynasty (1368- on the body of the seal have a hidden the dignity of its owner. 博园路7565号