Sealing Clay(封泥 Fengni)

In ancient China official and private documents were inscribed on bamboo or wooden slips. Before these documents were announced the slips were bound with a piece of thread and sealed with clay.

The sealing clay was imprinted with the impression of an official or private seal to prevent illegal opening. The clay-sealing method, which was also used for the shipping of goods, gradually fell into oblivion with the invention of paper and silk fabrics.

Since clay sealing was first discovered by historians in the late Qing Dynasty (1616-1911), it has commanded the attention of epigraphers and collectors. For archaeologists it makes excellent material for the study of history and ancient epigraphy and calligraphy.

The Beijing Museum of Ancient ceramic Civilization's collection of more than 1,000 pieces of sealing clay of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) has been regarded as an archive for the sudy of the origin of the political system of ancient China.