Xiling Seal-Engravers' Society

Xiling Seal-Engraver's Society

Located at the foot and the top of the Solitary Hill, Xiling Seal-Engravers’ Society is a well-known academic society devoted to the study of seal engraving. Its preparations began in the 29th year of the reign of Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty (1903) and completed in the following year. The inaugrural meeting, held in 1913, elected Wu Changshuo (1844-1927) its first president.
As the place was close to Xiling, it As named Xiling Seal-Engravers’ Society.

The Cypress Hall, the Four-shining Hall, and the Revered Sage’ Pavilion are there among the famous buildings, and the best known is the Bamboo Chamber built by Bai Juyi of the Tang Dynasty. At the top of the Hill is the 11- storeyed Pagoda of Huayanjing and the statue of the master of engraving Ding Jing.

Xiling Seal-Engravers Society

Standing on the hill is a stone house, in which the funerary stele of ” Sanlao” is kept. It is a valuable cultural relic of the Eastern Han period. Quite close to its is a tea-house where people can sit around and enjoy the picturesque view while sipping tea.

A famous seal that roved outside of the engraving circle- the seal by the name of ” the Man of the Xiling Seal-Engravers’ Society” was made by Wu Changshuo in 1917. Somehow, the seal fell into the hands of a folk collector before it reappeared at an auction in Shanghai in 1997. A Japanese by the name of Kobayshi Toan, an honorary member of the board of directors of the Society, paid a large sum of money and purchased it. It was sent back to Hangzhou from Japan as a gift on June 26n, 2003. The Xiling Seal-Engravers’ Society called a meeting to Welcome its return. The seal is a priceless treasure and measures 3.5cm long, 3.5cm wide and 8cm high.

November 18,2003 marked the centennial of the founding of the Xiling Seal-Engravers’ Society. During the celebrations, many well-known seals, calligraphic works and paintings were put on display and about a thousand people from more than 20 regions across China and foreign countries as well took part.

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Author: Amoytrip---Free China Travel Guide--Xiling Seal-Engravers' Society
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