十竹齋箋譜 — SHIZHUZHAI JIANPU (Bois gravés chinois anciens) - Hu Zhengyan- China

Shizhu Zhai Jianpu — SHIZHUZHAI JIANPU
Collection of letter papers from the Ten Bamboo Studio
Hu Zhengyan (胡正言, 1584–1674)
Beijing edition, Rongbaozhai Xinji, July 1952 — 4 volumes
Superb Chinese reissue of the famous 《十竹齋箋譜》 (Shizhuzhai-Jianpu), one of the masterpieces of traditional Chinese color printing.
Originally published in the 17th century by Hu Zhengyan, this famous collection gathers models of letter papers adorned with landscapes, flowers, birds, animals, rocks, precious objects and other motifs inspired by Chinese painting. The present edition, published in Beijing in July 1952 by Rongbaozhai Xinji, reproduces this work using traditional engraving and polychrome printing techniques.
The work is particularly remarkable for the fineness of its polychrome impressions from several wood blocks (douban) and for the use of dry embossing (gonghua), which yields raised motifs without ink. These processes give the images a richness of colors, shades and textures that is especially spectacular.
The edition comprises four Chinese-stitch bound volumes, kept in their original brocade-covered box. The brown paper covers are decorated with small gilded projections and bear vertically calligraphed title labels.
The set contains about 283 models of letter papers, some realized in dry embossing. Some specialized catalogues count 250 polychrome impressions depending on counting method.
Description matérielle
Beijing, Rongbaozhai Xinji, July 1952
4 volumes
Chinese text
Traditional Chinese xianzhuang (線裝), stitched
Brown paper covers with gold decoration
Original slipcase/portfolio bound in brocade
Edition label bearing number 5070
Volume dimensions: approximately 21.2 × 31.3 cm
Overall weight: approximately 1.665 kg
État
Very good overall condition. The volumes are well preserved and complete. Some light handling marks or creases on certain leaves. The case shows some signs of use and a slight dent at one corner, but remains in very good overall condition.
A remarkable testament to the traditional Chinese art of polychrome printing, particularly sought after for the quality of its engraved and embossed letter papers.