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Seal carving

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

Seal carving, also seal cutting, or zhuanke in Chinese (篆刻), is a traditional form of art that originated in China and later spread across East Asia. It refers to cutting a design into the bottom face of the seal (the active surface used for stamping, rather than the sides or top). It is also known as seal engraving. Wikipedia →

Types & examples

Carving of Reading's historic seal - geograph.org.uk - 1935698
Carving of Reading's historic seal - geograph.org.uk - 1935698
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Carving name seals near Lake Biwa
Carving name seals near Lake Biwa
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Yiyinchanshi is composing seal cutting works
Yiyinchanshi is composing seal cutting works
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Eastern Jin Jade Seal & Pendant
Eastern Jin Jade Seal & Pendant
Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Introduction to pottery seals made by Rosanjin 010
Introduction to pottery seals made by Rosanjin 010
Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

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.