Han Dynasty Tile-End Inscription ‘Yu Hua Wu Ji’ and Seal Script Calligraphy (“與華無極”漢瓦儅及篆書)

This work is a rubbing of a Han dynasty tile-end bearing the inscription “With China, Endless” (與華無極), personally taken by Mr. Zhang Changjiu. He further complemented it with a seal-script title and a prose colophon. The characters are arranged within the round form of the tile, their placement following the curve naturally. The strokes are elongated, archaic, and unadorned, conveying the robust and monumental spirit characteristic of Han dynasty stone and bronze inscriptions. The title, rendered in seal script, is elegant and steady, harmonizing seamlessly with the style of the tile’s original inscription, the two enhancing each other. The colophon, written in running script, features refined diction and unfolds line by line with a tone of historical depth and cultural reverence. From phrases like “Qin airs and Han charm” to “graceful halls and prosperous people,” the text expresses admiration for the enduring legacy of Chinese civilization. The closing phrase, “Endless is the joy” (長樂未央), not only echoes the sentiment of the tile inscription but also resonates with the name of the artist’s studio, “Hall of Everlasting Joy” (長樂堂), adding layers of meaning. Overall, the piece fuses calligraphy, epigraphy, and literature into a work of both form and spirit. It is not merely a display of calligraphic artistry, but a heartfelt tribute to the elegant cultural legacy of antiquity.