My photo
I am an artist who has lived in Los Angeles, New York City and, now, northern California. My initial interest in art was provoked by the Asian collection at the Seattle Art Museum when I was in high school, and it has continued to this day. I am not a collector, merely an admirer who has picked up the odd scroll, print or seal. Seals especially have engaged a deep involvement and I welcome this opportunity to share. For my own primarily sculptural works please visit my website lorenmadsen.com.

Sealscript fan by Li Jia-fu



I love not only the seals, but also the script, called zhuan shu, seal script.

This fan was made by Li Jia-fu (1829-1894) in year 10 of Guang-shu (by Chinese traditional reckoning), which would be 1885. The inscription in regular script, on the left, explains the occasion (approximately): Last year I happened to record my humble composition. I'm presenting this to my noble brother (an honorific--probably his host) for comment.

The seal script text basically says: When I went away to the north valley from the capital to escape the heat (on vacation), I saw birds and a river and rocks, etc. and I forgot the heat. I made this humble picture/poem.

It was common among the traditional scholarly aristocracy for a guest to give a gift to a man who hosted a visit, which were often quite long. The reference to a picture-poem suggests there may have been a drawing on the verso of the fan. It's not there now I'm sad to say.
(Thanks to Candice Lee for the translation)

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