Chinese seal engraving techniques

Chinese seal engraving involves carving characters into stone, jade, or ivory to create a stamp used for signatures or artwork. Artisans first design the seal’s pattern or inscription, then carefully carve the characters in reverse using specialized tools like chisels and knives. Techniques include "relief" carving, where the background is cut away leaving the characters raised, and "intaglio" carving, where the characters are carved into the surface creating recessed designs. The process requires precision craftsmanship, attention to detail, and mastery of various carving tools to produce durable, aesthetically refined seals that serve both practical and artistic purposes.