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jade_seal_script

imperialroom.info Jade Seal

 

There were several different variants of seal script which developed in each kingdom independently during the warring state period and spring and autumn. The 'birds and worms script', was used in the Kingdoms of Wu, Chu, and Yue. It was found on several artifacts including the Spear of Fuchai, and Sword of Goujian.

Bronze sword of King Gōujiàn of Yuè (late Spring & Autumn), with bird script; detail--part of inscription: "越王自作" Yuè Wáng zì zuò, “Made by the King of Yuè”. Húbĕi Provincial Museum

 

On one side of the blade, two columns of text were visible. In total there are eight characters written in an ancient script. The script was found to be the one called "鳥蟲文" (literally "'birds and worms'-characters" owing to the intricate decorations to the defining strokes), a variant of zhuan that is very difficult to read. Initial analysis of the text deciphered six of the characters, "越王" (King of Yue) and "自作用劍" ("made this sword for (his) personal use"). As a southern state, Chu was close to the Wu-Yue influences. Chu produced broad bronze swords that were similar to Wuyue swords, but not as intricate. Chu also used the difficult to read script called "Birds and Worms (鳥蟲文)" style, which was borrowed by the Wu and Yue states.

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_script

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Uploaded on March 13, 2011
Taken on July 5, 2010