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Chinese calligraphy

China tradition · 5 examples · indicative market tier: Under $500 (entry level & living craft)

Chinese calligraphy is the writing of Chinese characters as an art form, combining visual art and interpretation of their literary meaning. This type of expression has been widely practiced in China and has been generally held in high esteem across East Asia. Calligraphy is considered one of the four most-sought skills and hobbies of ancient Chinese literati, along with playing stringed musical instruments, the board game "Go", and painting. Wikipedia →

Types & examples

Four Poems: Calligraphy in Cursive Script (xingshu)
Four Poems: Calligraphy in Cursive Script (xingshu), 1500s-1600s
Cleveland Museum of Art
Calligraphy in Running Style based on Wang Bo's Essay on Tengwang Pavilion
Calligraphy in Running Style based on Wang Bo's Essay on Tengwang Pavilion, 1811
Cleveland Museum of Art
'Twelve Plants and Calligraphy', handscroll by Xu Wei, 16th century
'Twelve Plants and Calligraphy', handscroll by Xu Wei, 16th century
Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
明 二家法書合卷-Joint Calligraphy MET DP-13230-004
明 二家法書合卷-Joint Calligraphy MET DP-13230-004
Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
明 二家法書合卷-Joint Calligraphy MET DP-13230-005
明 二家法書合卷-Joint Calligraphy MET DP-13230-005
Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Where to buy

1stDibsHigh-end antiques & design marketplaceBrowse listings → LiveAuctioneersAggregated live auctions worldwideBrowse listings → InvaluableAuction-house listings & price archiveBrowse listings → Christie'sMajor-auction results & upcoming salesBrowse listings → EtsyLiving artisans & vintage dealersBrowse listings → eBayBroad secondary market — vet sellers carefullyBrowse listings →

Each link opens a live, image-rich search for this craft on that marketplace. Listings rotate constantly; authenticate significant pieces independently — attribution quality varies widely outside museum collections.