More than 100 rubbings of inscriptions from as early as the Shang Dynasty (c.16th century-11th century BC) through to the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties are on show at the China National Academy of Painting and National Library of China until Tuesday, tracing the formation of the lishu, or the clerical script of Chinese calligraphy. These pieces are of rarity and refinement, formally in the collections of generations of reputed historic connoisseurs.

Also on show are dozens of works by modern calligraphers who were inspired by these invaluable rubbings.

The exhibition has been the third one of a series of shows of historic rubbings to reflect the evolutions of different calligraphic scripts, by which organizers at the China National Academy of Painting and National Library of China hope to enrich the work of calligraphers with inspiration from classic art.