Personal preference art: Chinese Seals Business and Art
A chop is a chop, is a chop, is a chop." Or is it? This parody on the words of Gertrude Stein points out the unusual character and position of one of the oldest, most used, and yet smallest of Chinese artifacts, the name chop or seal. Both artistic and pragmatic, the Chinese chop has been around since the Shang dynasty (1766-1122 B.C.). It gained prominence during the Warring States period (475-221 B.C.) and has occupied a unique role in Chinese culture ever since.
For business purposes, the chop serves as a person's signature and when stamped in red ink is legally binding in all business matters. This practice surprises Westerners who are used to a personal signature. A person may also have different chops for different business transactions. "Every Chinese has a minimum of at least three chops," explains Peter Wang, president of Jano Enterprises Inc. "I have one for my bank, one for legal matters, and another for anything else such as greeting cards or book collections. A person need not be present to sign a business deal as long as his or her chop is there."
On the other hand, if the person is present but has forgotten the chop, business cannot be conducted. This practice is due to the fact that Chinese characters are often written by set strokes in block style (unlike Western cursive writing) and easier to copy in written form. But names carved in wood or stone reflect the unique methods and tools of the carver, and are more difficult to imitate.
Each chop also has its norms and suggested guidelines for usage. For instance one never keeps his or her chop and bank book in the same place. If you lose one or the other you are protected. But if a thief were to get hold of both, you'd be out of money. And, in a business where two chops are used to issue a check, the company president allows the checkbook to be held by the controller who uses the chop first. The president reserves the right for the final chop at his own time and discretion.
Personal preference art
By J.F. Keating Photos by Sung Chih-hsiung
For business purposes, the chop serves as a person's signature and when stamped in red ink is legally binding in all business matters. This practice surprises Westerners who are used to a personal signature. A person may also have different chops for different business transactions. "Every Chinese has a minimum of at least three chops," explains Peter Wang, president of Jano Enterprises Inc. "I have one for my bank, one for legal matters, and another for anything else such as greeting cards or book collections. A person need not be present to sign a business deal as long as his or her chop is there."
On the other hand, if the person is present but has forgotten the chop, business cannot be conducted. This practice is due to the fact that Chinese characters are often written by set strokes in block style (unlike Western cursive writing) and easier to copy in written form. But names carved in wood or stone reflect the unique methods and tools of the carver, and are more difficult to imitate.
Each chop also has its norms and suggested guidelines for usage. For instance one never keeps his or her chop and bank book in the same place. If you lose one or the other you are protected. But if a thief were to get hold of both, you'd be out of money. And, in a business where two chops are used to issue a check, the company president allows the checkbook to be held by the controller who uses the chop first. The president reserves the right for the final chop at his own time and discretion.
Personal preference art
By J.F. Keating Photos by Sung Chih-hsiung
posted by awesome at 1:54 AM
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