Wu Junqing (1844-1927), better known as Wu Changshuo, is one of the most prominent and influential artists of modern Chinese painting. Wu was a talented and accomplished artist who integrated traditional Chinese painting styles of early masters such as Xu Wei, Chen Daofu, Bada Shanren and Shi Tao, with the art of poetry, calligraphy and seal engraving. His style names were known as Fulu, 'Cottage of the Urn', and Laofu, 'The old urn'; the latter is inscribed on the side of one seal. These names were a reference to an ancient excavated urn which was given to the artist by his friend Jin Fujiang. Although the urn was primitive and without design or inscription, Wu Changshuo was so impressed with the object that he wrote a poem in its praise.

The present pair of Wu Changshuo seals were probably carved for a Japanese friend as indicated by the seal chop on one seal, Wuzhou, which is most likely a name. The side of this seal is carved with the character, Long, 'Deaf', which is the style name adopted by Wu when he reached over the age of 70, cf. Zhongguo Meishujia Renming Cidian, Shanghai renmin meishu chubanshe, 2003, p. 290. The other seal bearing the seal chop Jingguan, can be translated as 'Quiet appreciation'.

For furong seal by the same artist, dated to 1909, see lot 1883 in the present sale.