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Sealing the deal: Artisans offer visitors a signature souvenir

The Independent·Chen Nan·25 days ago
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While some of the most beautiful calligraphy originates in China, important documents and letters were for centuries signed not with a handwritten name, but with a carved seal — a small stone block leaving a bold red imprint unique to its owner. Now imagine signing your name with a stamp that leaves a bright red mark, perhaps featuring a playful panda nibbling on a bamboo shoot. If the image appeals, then head to Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, and find Huang Guorui. In his workshop, he adds a modern twist to Chinese seal-making traditions. Huang didn’t set out to become a contemporary seal artisan. During his spare time after work, he carves delicate symbols, English letters and animals into stones. “I’ve always loved stones,” he said. But it wasn’t until his daughter suggested that he display his seals online a few years ago that things took off. The panda-and-English name seal, a signature piece of Huang’s work, has received warm feedback on social media.…

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