Huang Mufu and the Hong Kong Seal Community

Hong Kong sigillography has largely inherited the style of Guangdong seal carving, in which the mainstream style originated from the “Lingnan School” of Huang Mufu (1849–1908). Because Huang was a native of Yi County in Anhui province, the school was also known as the “Yishan School”. His style of seal was most prevalent in Guangdong during the period of the late Qing and early Republican periods, and its influence also spread from the Mainland to Hong Kong. Nonetheless, only very few seal carvers were personally taught by Huang Mufu himself. Aside from his son, Huang Shaomu (1879–1953), Li Yinsang (1882–1945), Yi Dahan (1874–1941), Deng Erya (1884–1954), and Liu Qingsong (1863–1920) were followers of his art and teachings. Yet, they brought various influences to the Hong Kong seal community and established a strong foundation for the “Lingnan School” to grow in Hong Kong.

As a successor of Liu Qingsong, Feng Kanghou, had profound influence over the Hong Kong seal community. Feng began studying seal carving with Liu Qingsong at the age of 13. Under the guidance of Liu, he repeatedly practiced the works of Huang Mufu. Around 1949, Feng Kanghou moved to Hong Kong and founded “Nantian Seal Society” and then later, “Guangya Calligraphy Academy (Guangya Shuxueshe)” (1967) to provide instruction in calligraphy, painting and seal carving. He also instructed courses offered by the United College of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and extramural courses of The University of Hong Kong. He was a trendsetting pioneer and nurtured many local seal carvers. His students and next-generation students have dominated the Hong Kong seal community and have continued the practice of passing on the school of Huang Mufu. He was one of the “Five Veterans of Hong Kong”, alongside Deng Erya, Luo Shuzhong, Chen Yushan (1904–1987), and Lu Dinggong (1903–1979).