Oriental Stone Seal: Tao Te King Calligraphy Stamp

This is an Oriental stone seal with a hand carved characters of a Tao Te King quotation, 上善若水 ("The highest excellence is like [that of] water") in old Zhuan Shu script.

Size of the imprint is ca. 2.5 cm or 1 inch.

The full quote from the Tao Te King says: "The highest excellence is like (that of) water. The excellence of water appears in its benefiting all things, and in its occupying, without striving (to the contrary), the low place which all men dislike. Hence (its way) is near to (that of) the Dao. The excellence of a residence is in (the suitability of) the place; that of the mind is in abysmal stillness; that of associations is in their being with the virtuous; that of words is in their trustworthiness; that of government is in its securing good order; that of (the conduct of) affairs is in its ability; and that of (the initiation of) any movement is in its timeliness. And when (one with the highest excellence) does not wrangle (about his low position), no one finds fault with him."

A seal is an Oriental printing stamps used as signatures in personal documents, office paperwork, contracts, art, or any item requiring acknowledgement or authorship. In the western world they were traditionally known by traders as chop marks or simply chops.

Seals are still widely used in Japan, Korea, and China.

This particular stamp can be a curious gift for a calligrapher, an artist or any person interested in Chinese or Japanese culture.

I am also taking orders for CUSTOM SEALS, feel free to contact me for details.