Blue and White Porcelain Seal

This small porcelain block recreates the personalized seals used to sign important documents throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Also known as a chop, such stamps were widely used by anyone who regularly signed formal documents, such as scholar-officials, merchants, and doctors. The final addition to any document or calligraphy painting, seal marks conveyed the scholar's authority and affirmed the document's authenticity. Seals were one of the many treasured accessories of the scholars' studio and many were carved from fine materials such as jade or jasper. This porcelain seal is etched with a seal mark on one end and glazed in the blue and white style with brushed calligraphy and a serene, shan shui landscape.