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Fascinating Chinese calligraphy

Chinese calligraphy, the art of writing par excellence, occupies a pre-eminent place in the history of Asian art. Much more than a simple communication tool, it has shaped China's artistic and aesthetic practices for over two millennia. From its origins engraved on oracular bones to its modern interpretations in contemporary art galleries, Chinese calligraphy has left its mark on the world's cultural and artistic history.


Ink wash painting on paper, China, 19th century, appraised by Gauchet Art Asiatique for Millon auction house, sold for €1,600

Chinese calligraphy is based on a set of traditional materials known as the ‘four treasures of the scholar’ (文房四宝, wénfáng sìbǎo): the brush, ink, ink stone and paper. The brush, made from animal hair attached to a bamboo handle, is the main tool allowing a wide variety of strokes, from fine, precise lines to broad, flowing curves. The ink, usually in the form of a solid stick, is rubbed onto an ink stone with water to produce a liquid ink of the ideal consistency.


The ink stone, often carved from materials such as sandstone or jade, is both a functional instrument and a work of art in its own right. Finally, Chinese paper, known as xuānzhǐ (宣纸), is specially designed to absorb ink in a balanced way, allowing for fluid and lasting expression. However, calligraphy is not limited to paper, and can also be created on other media such as ceramics, wood, fabric or walls, broadening its artistic and decorative scope.

Polychrome porcelain wall vase, China, Qianlong period, appraised by Gauchet Art Asiatique for Millon auction house, sold for €170,000

From the time of the Shang dynasty (1600-1046 BC), Chinese characters were more than just a writing system: they were a quest for beauty. The oracular inscriptions, engraved on tortoise shells and bones, showed a methodical layout and attention to the balance of the strokes. Later, under the Zhou dynasty, the seal style (篆书, zhuànshū) appeared, characterised by its sinuous, harmonious strokes, used in particular for bronze engravings. This style is emblematic of the beginnings of calligraphy as a visual art.


With the Han dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD), calligraphy became a more accessible aesthetic language thanks to the clerical style (隶书, lìshū). This simplified the forms while introducing horizontal strokes, thus broadening the expressive scope of the script. But it was during the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties that calligraphy reached its apogee, becoming a discipline in its own right. Under the Tang, Wang Xizhi, nicknamed ‘the Sage of Calligraphy’, made history with his masterpiece Preface to the Orchid Pavilion. This text, produced in a semi-cursive style (行书, xíngshū), embodies a perfect balance between movement and structure, and has remained a studied reference for centuries. At the time, mastery of calligraphy was considered an essential skill for scholars, on a par with poetry and painting.


Wang Xizhi, Preface to the Orchid Pavilion, copy by Feng Shengsu (circa 630), conserved in Beijing

During the Song dynasty, calligraphy was fully integrated into painting, forming a dialogue between text and image. Artists such as Su Shi and Mi Fu combined delicately painted landscapes with calligraphic poems, creating scrolls in which each element enriched the other. One of the most famous examples of this symbiosis is Ruisseau dans la montagne après une averse, where the characters dance with the lines of the landscape, expressing a harmony between nature and writing. But calligraphy is not limited to scrolls. Engraved stelae, decorated ceramics and even imperial seals bear witness to the omnipresence of this art in cultural and everyday life. Pottery from the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368), for example, often features poetic inscriptions that transform utilitarian objects into masterpieces.


Each style of calligraphy conveys a particular intention and emotion. The standard style (楷书, kǎishū), rigorous and legible, is used in official texts and monumental inscriptions, such as those on the steles of the Temple of Confucius in Qufu. In contrast, the cursive style (草书, cǎoshū) favours spontaneity and expressiveness. Between the two, the semi-cursive style balances legibility and movement, offering a fluidity that evokes thought in action.


Wang Duo 王鐸 (1593 - 1652), cursive calligraphy, ink on paper, kept at the Musée Cernuschi in Paris


Some works of art are calligraphed to add a literary and spiritual dimension to their visual aesthetic. In China, writing is seen as an art form in its own right, capable of conveying not just words, but also an energy, or qi (气), that reflects the artist's state of mind and emotions. In landscape paintings, for example, calligraphy makes it possible to add a poem or philosophical reflection that enriches the meaning of the work. Calligraphic texts don't just explain the image; they interact with it, creating a harmonious interaction between the writing and the drawing. On objects such as ceramics or scrolls, inscriptions also serve to elevate the object to a cultural or sacred status, inscribing maxims, blessings or classical quotations. In this way, calligraphy is not simply an ornament, but an essential element that unites thought, art and culture in a single work.


Gauchet Art Asiatique uses its expertise to authenticate and appraise Chinese calligraphy. Thanks to our in-depth knowledge of the techniques, styles and historical contexts of this refined art form, our firm offers accurate and reliable analyses. We determine the authenticity, origin and value of each piece, while respecting the cultural nuances specific to Chinese art. Entrust your calligraphy to Gauchet Art Asiatique for professional expertise and customised support.






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