The Hong Kong Seal Stone Museum is about 100 feet away from the
Hong Kong Museum of Tea Ware.
Closeup of a seal stone in the museum. The stamp in front of the stone shows how it should look like on paper.
What is Seal Stone (a.k.a. chop)?
I never noticed this museum until the security guard in the Hong Kong Museum of Tea Ware mentioned it. It is on the second floor of the tea house which is a vegetarian restaurant.
Although the size of the museum is very tiny, the collections of the seal stones are just marvelous.
A typical seal stone is about 1.5-2cm wide of all sides and 6cm long. For an emperor seal stone, it's a totally different story. For instance, Emperor Qianlong's jade seal is 8.5(L) x 8.5(W) x 9.3(H) cm
Seal stones have been used throughout Chinese history for centuries. It represents identity and art. Emperors and the general public used them.
When you first step into the museum, there are several banners explaining to you the history and evolution of the Chinese seal stones in details.
(I know, I know....history could be a boring subject to some people or children. Click here to download a file directly from the Hong Kong Seal Stone Museum web site to do some matching games for fun)
Our neighbor used to be the seal stone carver. One of our bedroom windows (it may sound very rude) could see the activities of our neighbor very clearly. I remember seeing that old man carving the seal stones all the time.
It is art because you must carve it backwards in order to make the stamps come out right. This is not a common or easy task for a typical Chinese. I can only write a Chinese word upside down with a lot of practices, definitely not backwards.
Plus, the Chinese writing used on the seal stones are old/ancient Chinese symbols. Therefore, the carver must be very knowledgeable.
It represents identity because emperors used it as authority, power and/or for commands.
Before my grandmother passed away in 2002, she was still using her seal stone at the bank as an authorized signature.
It is always on a stone, not wood or plastic. The art and the quality of the how the stamp comes out can never be replaced by the technology nowadays. So far, I still haven't seen any rubber stamps or chops even trying to produce the similar images coming out of a regular seal stone.
This picture pretty much captured the whole museum. But due to the small size of all the seal stones, you may be overwhelmed with the quantity here.
A table of collection of seal stones
Other Exhibits in the Museum
Inside the museum, there are also vases and ancient Chinese decors. Many of them have a stamp on it to represent the authenticity of the artists' work.
There is no admission fee to go into the Hong Kong Seal Stone Museum.
If you like steamed Chinese vegetarian food, you must stop by the tea house downstairs. My best friend, Anna, and I always meet there for lunch or dinner.
MTR Admiralty Station Pacific Place Exit C1 - Take the escalator to head toward Hong Kong Park through the Pacific Place - After going through the fountain in the park, follow the direction to go to the museum. You will see the K.S. Lo Gallery where this museum is located on the first floor before passing by the Hong Kong Museum of Tea Ware.
Hours: Daily 10am - 6pm; closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays)
Closed at 5:00pm on Christmas Eve and Chinese New Year's Eve
Closed on the first two days of Chinese New Year
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