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By placing a piece of paper over and gently rub ink on the paper, one can copy the details on the inscription tablet to paper. This technique of copying is called “Rubbing”. The resulting copy is called a Tau-Pian. A collection of Tau-Pians from the same set of inscription tablets is called a “Rubbing album”. Thanks to this rubbing technique, the calligraphy styles and the thoughts of ancient masters thousands of years ago are still accessible today.
The effect of Tau-Pian is white on black, exactly the opposite of traditional calligraphy’s black on white. The style and feel resulting from a chisel also differs somewhat from the traditional pen and ink calligraphy. In addition, the natural weathering of the inscription tablet affords the Tau-Pian a distinct style that’s reminiscent of snowflakes falling. This is an effect that cannot be achieved with traditional pen and ink calligraphy. Consequently, even as the need to copy by rubbing fades with the advent of modern techniques, the Tau-Pian has evolved on its own to become a distinct and collectable art form.
This paper uses a specific “Zhou Xiao Hou Inscription Tablet” as an example to explore the subjects of Tau-Pian restoration treatments and conversation principles. We obtain an understanding of the piece and the transcribing techniques by survey the existing documentations and by hand-on procedures. Such an understanding is indispensable in the restoration treatments. The pre-restoration “First-Lining” technique and the selection of appropriate patch methods are examples of the necessary efforts to preserve the style and feel of this distinct art form.
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