Bronze column button “leader” seal

[Tongzhu Button “Chief” Seal]

Tongzhu Button “Chief” Seal, Xixia, print 5.5 × 5.5 cm, through height 5.3 cm
It is made of copper, with column buttons. The printed text is in Xixia characters, and the white text is interpreted as “leader”. The back of the seal is engraved with the inscription “the second year of Zhengde, the leader” in Xixia language
The ruling regime of the Western Xia Dynasty is divided into two institutions: Song official and Party official. The official seal of the Western Xia Dynasty is always written in the Western Xia language. The official seal of the Western Xia Dynasty has a special form, with square and round corners. The seals are basically arranged in a symmetrical form. The two characters correspond up and down, the four characters are divided equally, and the six characters are divided between the left and right columns. The printing structure is a modified seal character, with a wide cast character, and the strokes are as wide as the sidebar. Short handle button or column button, the printing table is thin. The two sides of the seal buttons are often engraved with a series of Xixia characters to explain the content of the seal and the person in charge, in order to strengthen the use and management of the official seal. Private seal is rare in the relics of Xixia seals, which should be related to the social conditions of the nation. Xixia official seal is an important link in the history of Chinese seal.

“首领”印印面“首领”印钤本“首领”印拓片