Historical guide to Chinese seals, or "chops," and their various uses in business, art, and government.

A catalogue and accompaniment to an exhibition at the China House Gallery, New York City, October to December 1992, which focused on Chinese seal as works of art related to calligraphy, rather than to their role in authenticating paintings. The pieces range from the 3rd (at least) century B.C. to the 1950s. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Port

In ancient China, Emperors used seals to proclaim their decrees to their people, officials used seals to exercise their power, merchants used seals to demonstrate their credibility, land-lords used seals to protect their small properties. Gradually, seals became the representative and evidence of personal identity, and even today Chinese are still using seals.