Xu Sangeng

CHINA, Zhejiang, Shaoxing; Qing dynasty

Xu Sangeng, also known as Jinlei, was a seal engraver and calligrapher from Shangyu district in Shaoxing. He studied the Zhejiang school methodology of seal engraving under the renowned masters Chen Hongshou and Zhao Zhichen, later developing his own style that featured varying arrangements of characters in bold yet rhythmic strokes. During his time, Xu shared a reputation alongside Wu Rangzhi and Zhao Zhiqian.
Xu’s works are recorded in several publications including Collection of Seal Works by Jinlei, Seal Engraving by Xu Sangeng, and Selected Artworks by Xu Sangeng from the Xiling Seal Art Society Collection. Also skilled in calligraphy, Xu specialized in seal and clerical scripts. His calligraphic style exhibits features of rounded strokes, bordered within a square format.
Seals by Xu include Past Life as an Ascetic and a General, carved from a naturally-shaped stone, the elliptical-shaped intagliated seal, Disciple Within the Forest, and Descendant of Yanling Jizi, a red-character square seal kept at Shanghai Museum.