Thursday, 20 October 2016

The Thriving of Yixing Purple Clay Teapot in Qing Dynasty

        Qing Dynasty is the gold era of the purple clay teapot, although it is not as good as the porcelain tea ware from Jing De Town, but its designs are richer than porcelain tea ware. It showed its unique individuality and elegant demeanor. The decorate technology of the purple clay teapot arrived at high level, besides carved calligraphy, there are clay painting, carved painting, colour glaze painting, basso-relievo, stack clay painting, stick clay painting, mill clay painting, inlay clay, inlay gold, hollow out, bind up gold, bind up silver, bind up lacquer, burnish etc. More purple clay teapost have entered to the palace where the emperor lived as the articles of tribute in early Qing Dynasty. (In fact, purple clay teapots have already entered to the palace in Wan Lie year Ming Dynasty (1570), because of one teapot by Shi Da Bing made was found in the Imperial Palace).

Photo of Kang Xi Emperor's 'Colour Flower Enamel Square Teapot'

        Kang Xi, one earliest emperor in Qing Dynasty, he liked purple tea pot and tea bowl very much. He especially liked add colour enamel teapot as they were more showily. He refused the seal of makers on the purple clay teapot and only accepted those showing the title of the emperor's reign. This rule was continued until Yong Zheng emperor and Qian Long emperor. So you could not see the seal of maker on the palace purple clay teapot in early Qing Dynasty. It has only the title of an emperor's reign.


Photo of Yong Zheng Emperor's 'Colour Enamel Teapot'

        Yong Zheng emperor was very interested in the designs of purple clay teapot. He commanded people to imitate the designs of purple clay teapot and made porcelain tea ware, silver tea ware, copper tea ware (it was proved by the original record in Yong Zheng 11 year, No.3360). Although Yong Zheng emperor lived only 13 years, but there were many Registers showed about purple clay teapot in his record.


Photo of Qian Long Emperor's 'Colour Enamel Purple Clay Teapot'

        Most of the palace purple clay teapots were from Qian Long emperor era, Qian Long emperor liked drinking tea in his whole life, even during the time when he went on his six time tour of inspection. He ever said: “The emperor cannot stop drinking tea in any day.” He liked purple clay teapots. He ordered people to carve his poem on the purple clay teapot. So, most palace purple clay teapots showed Qian Long's poem in Qian Long's era. Qian Long emperor also ordered people to make special tea ark for keeping purple clay tea ware when he went out for tour. Qian Long emperor also advocated his people to use purple clay teapot. So, purple clay teapots were very fashionable in Qian Long era and even a long time after Qian Long.

        After Qian Long, more purple clay teapots entered to the palace. It was not only restricted to the seal of emperor, so you can easily find many purple clay teapots with the seal of famous great masters in the Imperial Palace after Qian Long Emperor.

        In Kang Xi emperor 24 year (1685), Kang Xi emperor agreed to make business with overseas. Purple clay teapots were exported to Europe together with Chinese tea. So, purple clay teapots were attracted and welcomed by the Europe people. They praised it as “Red Porcelain”.

        During those times, Portuguese, Hollander, German copied this “Red Porcelain” and made their pottery tea ware. In 1711, Mr Bo Te Ge, one famous potter from German had successfully made 2000 pieces red pottery teapots which imitated the Yixing purple clay teapots, wrote a disquisition of “Red Sand Porcelain”. There was one Yixing purple clay teapot which was collected in the state museum of Denmark, was used by the king of Denmark in 1674. Yixing purple clay teapots were also exported to Japan, South-East Asia, and Central America countries in 17th century and 18th century.

Photo of Chen Ming Yuan's 'Pumpkin Teapot'

        In early days of Qing Dynasty, the most famous great master is Mr Cheng Ming Yuan, It was recorded in “Yang Xian Famous Potters” by Wu Qian in 1786 (PS: Yixing is called “Yang Xian in ancient). Wu Qian said that Chen Ming Yuan's teapot was the best in one hundred years history. He exceeded all teapot masters of three eras. He was equal to Shi Da Bing. It had been proved that the carved calligraphy on Cheng Ming Yuan's teapots was written by famous calligrapher Mr Cao Qian Rang. This modus operandi was continued till now. Many famous literators, painters and politicians liked to write their epigraph on the purple clay teapot to raise its value. They even invited some great masters coming to their house to make purple clay teapot for them and let the masters enjoyed those antiques they collected.

        Other great masters were Zheng Nin Hou, Wang Nan Ling, Yu Rong, Shao Yu Ting, Shao Xi Mao, Cheng Ying Qian, Cheng Han Wen, Yang Ji Cu, Zhang Huai Reng, Yang Ji Yuan, Yang You Lan, Shao Ji Zu, Shao De Xing, Cheng Weng Bo, Cheng Weng Ju, Cheng Ci Wai, Xu Weng Long etc.

Photo of Yang Peng Nian's 'Shi Piao Teapot' carved by Chen Man Sheng

Photo of one of the Man Sheng Teapot

        In the medium-term and later period in Qing Dynasty, the most exponent was Man Sheng's teapot that was made by the cooperation of Cheng Man Sheng and Yang Peng Nian. Yang Peng Nian made teapot, epigraphed by Cheng Man Sheng who was a famous calligrapher and painter. So, the “Man Sheng Teapot” was very rare on then. Afterwards, Yang Bao Nian (Yang Peng Nian's brother) and Yang Feng Nian (Yang Peng Nian's sister) helped Yang Peng Nian to make “Man Sheng Teapot”, usually Cheng Man Sheng's seal was at the bottom of the teapot, the seal of Yang Peng Nian was in the cover and at the bottom of the handle. His seal is smaller than Cheng Man Sheng's. We think it is not candid to Yang Peng Nian who is a famous master.

Photo of Shao Da Heng's 'Eight Diagrams Bundle Bamboo Teapot'

        Another great master was Shao Da Heng. His famous teapot was the Eight Diagrams Bundle Bamboo Teapot and Fish Dragon Teapot. Mr Huang Yu Ling was an outstanding master after Shao Da Heng.

        Other masters were Wu Yue Ting, Ge Ming Xiang, Feng Cai Xia, Deng Kui, Jiang Yu Ling, Zhu Shi Mei, Shao Er Quan, Sheng Xi, Shao She Da, Shao You Ting, He Xing Zhou, Wu A Kun, Sheng Rui Tian, Jing Shi Hun, Fan Da Sheng, Cheng Bo Ting, Fan Die En, Cheng Shou Fu, Jiang Wan Feng, Jiang Zheng Xian, Shi Bao Fen etc.

Friday, 14 October 2016

The Development of Yixing Purple Clay Teapot in Ming Dynasty

        1965, one purple teapot was unearthed in the ancient tomb in Nang Jing city. The man of the tomb is Wu Jing, who was a eunuch of Ministry of Rites in Jia Jing Year Ming Dynasty (1533). 1991, one purple teapot was unearthed in a ancient well in the famous Nan Chan temple in Wuxi. This teapot is very alike with that teapot in Wu Jing tomb on the purple material and made technology. Many porcelains of Zheng De year Ming Dynasty were unearthed together this teapot.

        On early Ming Dynasty, the most famous masters are Zhao Liang, Dong Han, Yuan Chang, Shi Peng. They live on Jia Jing year and Long Qing year in Ming Dynasty. Main design is Ti Liang Teapot.

        From Wan Lie Year Ming Dynasty to Ming Dynasty last stage, many masters were produced in China. The most famous is Mr Shi Da Bing (Shi Peng's son), who has a very high status on that time. It isn't easy to get his teapot, even with a great offer.



Photo of Shi Da Bing's 'Three Legs Round Teapot'

        It was found only 7 pieces in China of really Shi Da Bing's teapot (don't need to argue it) and there are only 15-20 pieces abroad. Shi Da Bing was very strict in making teapot, the teapot would have to be broken if it wasn't satisfied. Many masters copied Shi Da Bing's teapot in Qing Dynasty, including some famous great masters.

Photo of Shi Da Bing's 'Yulan Petal Teapot'

        Second famous master is Hui Meng Cheng in Ming Dynasty. Other great masters are Li Mao Ling, Li Zhong Fang, Xu You Quan, Ou Zheng Cun, Shao Weng Jing, Shao Wen Ying, Jiang Bo Kua, Cheng Xing Qing, Cheng Guang Pu, Cheng Jun Qing, Cheng Zi Qi etc.

Photo of Hui Meng Cheng's 'Zhu Ni Round Teapot'

        Tea culture happened to change in Ming Dynasty too. The people replaced tea bowl with teapot, replaced boil tea with make tea in hot water, replaced the cake ferment tea with the bulk fresh tea, replaced big teapot of early Ming Dynasty with smaller teapot due to smaller teapot is better to keep the tea's fragrance. Most of the people think Purple Clay teapot cut down those silver, stannum and copper teapot. The purple clay teapots have become the need of the bookmans and scholar-bureaucrats. Many of them have started collecting the purple clay teapots.

Wednesday, 12 October 2016

About the Origin of the Yixing Purple Clay Teapot

        Yixing, a picturesque city, is located on the Taihu Lake. The city is famous for its plentiful products, fertile land, rich resources and outstanding talents. Of the products, the most charming is ceramics. Based on the textual and archaeological researches in Neolithic Age as far 5000 years ago, the forefathers of Yixing were engaged in the farming and the pottery marking. Recent years have often found some ruins of ancient pottery workshops and kilns in its territory. In Yixing Ding Shu Town, there are 5 neolithic site (5000 years ago), 3 Han Dynasty kiln site (Before 206-A.D.220), 3 Six Dynasty kilns (A.D.420-A.D581), 9 Sui Dynasty and Tang Dynasty kilns (A.D.581-A.D.907), 20 Song Dynasty and Yuan Dynasty kilns (A.D.960-A.D.1368), 60 Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty kilns (A.D.1368-A.D.1911). One of the Tang Dynasty's Dragon Kiln lies east of Ding Shu Town. It is 700 square meters, 80 stere, and has fire ware ability. So, Yixing purple clay teapots were produced base on long pottery tradition in Yixing.

Map of 
Yixing, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China

        Another important diathesis, Yixing is a famous tea area in China ancient, one kind of Yixing tea (call: Yun Wu Tea) was as palace tea on Tang Dynasty early, the quantity is over 5000 kgs. On Tang Dynasty, there are ten thousands tea workers for pick tea every year, there are 30 tea factories. China's most famous tea master Mr Lu Yu comes to Yixing for drinking tea time after time on Tang Dynasty.

Photo of Yixing Purple Clay

        The most important diathesis is that rare purple clay was found in the mountain of Ding Shu Town in Yixing. The purple clay have very unique characteristic, it is the best material for teapot on this world. In 1976, one Song Dynasty Dragon Kiln was found on Yiang Jiao Mountain of Ding Shu Town, many purple clay fragmentary purple teapot pieces were unearthed. It is also affirmed by Song Dynasty poem, some Song Dynasty's poem mentioned purple clay teapot, so it is accepted that Yixing purple clay teapot was produced on Song Dynasty midterm time, but some specialists thinked it was produced on Ming Dynasty.

        Mr Zhou Gao Qi, one writer who live on Ming Dynasty, who has written "Yang Xian Tea Pot Series" (PS: Yixing was called "Yang Xian" in ancient), this is the earliest book that special describe the originate and technology feature of yixing purple clay tea pot, with purple clay material. To the origins of purple teapot, he told us: "One white foot monk who live in Jing Sha temple in Ding Shu, he like study pottery with potters, slowly original create simple and unique teapot with purple clay for own enjoy it." (PS: there are many temples in China ancient, many monks enjoy tea use bowl on there, but it is very regret that people cannot find his teapot on this world).

        Mr Wu Yu Shan, a Jing Si (college student) in Zhen De Year Ming Dynasty (1514), come to Jing Sha temple for his study, Gong Cun who his servant come to there also. In carefree time, Gong Cun study make purple teapot under the monk, he imitated one old tree side the temple and made unique Gong Cun teapot (PS: This teapot is collected in China History Museum now, the cover have losed, the cover was added by Qing Dynasty Master Wang Yu Ling). So people think Gong Cun is the founder of Yixing Purple Clay teapot.


Photo of Gong Cun's 'ShuYing Teapot'


Thursday, 6 October 2016

石瓢壶


石瓢壶,此款为紫砂茗器中经典款式,后经多人改良,细分为子冶石瓢,景舟石瓢,红华石瓢,汉棠石瓢等。但最终万海归宗,同出一源,此款应为曼生所创十八式之一。

石瓢最早称为石铫在《辞海》中释为吊子,一种有柄,有流的小烹器从金属器皿变为陶器,最早见于北宋大学士苏轼《试院煎茶》诗:且学公家作名钦,砖炉石铫行相随。苏东坡把金属改为石,这与当时的茶道有着密切的关系。苏东坡贬官到宜兴蜀山教书,发现当地的紫色砂罐煮茶比铜、铁器皿味道好,于是他就地取材,模仿金属吊子设计了一把既有(壶嘴),又有(壶提)的砂陶之用来煮茶,这也即后人所称的东坡提梁壶,这可谓最早的紫砂石铫壶。
           
从留传于世的石铫壶看,至陈曼生、杨彭年时期,已有了很大的变化,更趋向文人化、艺术化。曼生石铫主要特色是上小下大,重心下垂,使用稳当,壶嘴为矮而有力的直筒形,出水畅顺,壶身呈金字塔式,观赏端庄。
           
曼生石铫子冶石铫相比,虽同为彭年所制,但前者更显饱满而丰润,后者则刚烈而古拙,这可能是因人的个性而在壶的艺术上表现。那么,紫砂石铫何时称石瓢呢?这应从顾景舟时期说起,顾引用古文弱水三千,仅饮一瓢石铫应称石瓢,从此相沿均称石瓢壶。
          
石瓢壶身呈梯形,曲线柔和流畅,造型浑厚朴拙。足为钉足呈三角鼎立状支撑,给人以轻灵而稳重之感。壶身八字造型,造成一个主视角度内的呈型表面,亦曲亦直,皆显现简朴大方的气度。直流,简洁见力度,多为暗接处理,溶于壶身整体。把多呈倒三角势,与壶身之型互补,形成和谐的美学效果。平压盖,桥钮,干净利索,比例恰当,充分体现出秀巧精工为上的特点。
          
此款初见于杨彭年年制,曾分别于陈曼生,瞿应绍合作,诗书画印于一壶,格调高雅,时称三绝壶。一提梁款为沪上八壶精舍唐云所藏,一款存上海博物馆。
          
近现代,朱石梅,顾景舟亦多制此款传世。景舟曾于1948年同时制得五把,赠于吴湖帆,江寒汀等沪上画坛名宿。亦有高振宇辈,制出椭圆石瓢,也算是石瓢一奇葩。我亦偏爱此款,认为此款充分体现了智欲其刚,行欲其方,刚柔兼施,允克用藏的精髓,蕴精气神韵于一身,可称之为大家,可视为壶之智者。
          

石瓢造型的要点在于力道,要达此目的,则要协调好石瓢各个线条所构成的三角形的比例关系,身筒、流、把甚至钮都要相互配合,形成最佳比例,才能最终突出其独特的力度与气韵。

Wednesday, 5 October 2016

“中国探月”官方独家授权紫砂壶藏品面世



“中国探月”官方独家授权紫砂壶藏品图。图片由嫦娥奔月航天科技(北京)有限公司提供。

2013年11月29日

        新华网北京11月29日电(记者 底东娜)嫦娥奔月航天科技(北京)有限公司(以下简称嫦娥公司)与北京翰墨林收藏品有限责任公司(以下简称北京翰墨林收藏公司)独家授权签约仪式在京举行,“中国探月”官方独家授权的紫砂壶藏品在签约仪式上与公众见面。

        我国将于2013年12月开始实施探月工程“嫦娥三号”任务,中国的首个月球车将登陆月球进行巡视探测,首次实现我国航天器在地外天体软着陆,这是继美国阿波罗计划后人类重返月球的首个月球软着陆探测器。

        据北京翰墨林收藏公司负责人介绍,选中紫砂壶为载体,是看中了紫砂壶艺术作为中国传统收藏品类可藏可用的独特属性。为提升其收藏价值,特邀紫砂泰斗顾景舟第一代传人李昌鸿大师,携北京2008“奥运徽宝”雕刻大师王希伟,以“和田玉镶嵌”与“珐琅彩描金”独特工艺打造“嫦娥奔月金玉紫砂壶”。将“嫦娥奔月”的美丽传说与中国探月工程的奋斗精神融入紫砂艺术之中。作为唯一一款经“中国探月”官方独家授权的紫砂壶类藏品,其授权具有官方性、唯一性与排他性,极具文化价值与收藏价值。

        这套“中国探月”官方独家授权紫砂壶藏品共10把,造型各异,其中有李昌鸿独特设计的异形“圆梦”玉兔壶,和另外9把经典提梁壶型,蕴含“九天揽月”之意。“和田玉镶嵌”及“珐琅彩描金”工艺温润典雅,高贵大气;手绘10幅“嫦娥奔月”图案神态各异,栩栩如生;壶身背面还由10位书法名家镌刻数千年来的“咏月”诗词名句,表达“嫦娥奔月,中华梦圆”之意。

        为了让更多的人关注到中国探月和航空工程, 国家国防科技工业局探月与航天工程中心成立国有独资公司——嫦娥奔月航天科技(北京)有限责任公司,进行中国探月工程市场的开发。市场开发所获得的收益将直接用于中国探月事业的科研奖励、科普教育等公益事业。


Tuesday, 4 October 2016

最小的紫砂壶




        宜兴蜀山老街上,紫珏轩主人周珏伟曾制成一个比黄豆还小的紫砂壶,参观者络绎不绝。2009年,他再创制出一个比原先更小的微型壶。呵!这个比赤豆小,与绿豆相差不多大小的微型紫砂壶,用嘴轻轻吹口气都能吹走,确实让人叹为观止!



        2010-05-12 “中国瓷都”潮州市枫溪镇民间陶瓷工艺师吴鸿斌创作了一件袖珍手拉坯朱泥壶,在当地引起轰动。这把微型朱泥手拉坯西施壶,仅有绿豆般大小,壶身直径0.4厘米,高0.5厘米,重量仅有0.1克,可以平放于指甲上。壶底还写有一“鸿”字,须用放大镜才能看清。

        吴鸿斌介绍,他查找资料发现,目前世界上最小的手拉坯小壶是“台湾蚂蚁超迷你手拉紫砂小壶”,直径只有0.2厘米。他制作的这把朱泥壶虽然比它略大,但质地不同,取材于潮汕地区特有的朱泥,堪称最小的手拉坯朱泥壶。目前他正准备申报吉尼斯纪录。



2013-12-11

  中国的紫砂茶具素以精、薄、轻、巧为上品。我县工艺美术大师吴宝华先生经过多年的潜心研究,制作了最小的紫砂壶,装水量不足一滴水的四分之一,壶长(嘴柄距)7.10毫米,壶体(外直径)4.26毫米,壶高4.06毫米。据行业内的有效数据显示,此壶是目前“世界之最”,吴宝华正在为它们申报英国吉尼斯纪录。

  吴宝华,这位紫砂奇才从八十年代起就跟随清代制壶名家邵大享之后邵全章先生学制壶艺。刻苦钻研,走自己的艺术特色路。1991年首次研制成功世界上最薄的紫砂茶壶。作品一经问世,引起各大媒体的关注。被行家们誉为“稀世真品”并载入《吉尼斯大全》、《中华茶业五千年》和《浙江 古今人物大辞典》、《民间名人大辞典》等书籍。



2014-05-16

        在2014年5月7日,台湾著名的微雕家陈逢显亮出他最新的作品——世界上最小的紫砂壶!只见这个小小紫砂壶比人的指甲还要小很多,稍有不慎,即可弄不见。

        据悉为了研制这只小小的紫砂壶,加上紫砂的材质比较脆,已经研究了好几年,当中失败多次!如今终于研制成功,虽其体积小,但做工还是相当精湛,令人惊叹。


最大的紫砂壶


  制作巨型紫砂壶的是江苏省巨壶大师、中国工艺美术学会会员刘根林。1998年,刘根林去景德镇调研时,发现有人制出了一对巨型花瓶,刘根林返回宜兴后先修建了一座高4米、宽2.2米的巨窑,然后开始尝试制作巨型紫砂壶。经过多次实践,最终取得了成功。据介绍,这个紫砂壶高3.5米,直径1.83米,重980公斤,可容水2.76吨,由刘根林带领江苏省宜兴市巨壶堂10余名工匠选用1.5吨紫砂泥,耗时7个月制作完成。据了解,这个紫砂壶拥有上海大世界基尼斯总部颁发的世界“最大紫砂壶”证书。