Bronze seal inscribed with Chinese characters “ Zhong Zhi Shi Yin”
Medium:
Date:Warring States Period(ca.475-221BCE)
Dimensions: Height.1.5cm; length.2cm; width.2cm
Origin: Unearthed in Changsha in the 1940s
Seals could be divided into two different kinds: official seals and personal seals. Personal seals belonged to a person and official seals were used by the government. This seal was an official seal used by the government department in charge of weaving.
The square seal is double layered and has a nose-shaped knob. It is the seal of department of textile production.The four characters in seal script on the surface are evenly distributed, as well as beautifully and strongly shaped. It shows that the Chu State in the Warring States period had a professional department and officials to in charge of the textile industry.