Song Dynasty Yingqing Carved Interlocking Lotus Ewer with Mythical Beast Finial Lid, Song Dynasty 960-1279 CE

拍品描述

Dimensions: Total height 22 cm (8.66 inches), maximum width of the body 18 cm (7.09 inches), Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). Condition and Provenance: This pot is structurally intact, without any minor cracks, defects, or missing shards. The matching animal-shaped lid is complete, with clear and sharp vertical carvings. The entire body is covered with a uniform celadon glaze, the surface naturally forming fine crackles, not artificially created. The lotus flower decoration on the belly is smooth and clear, without any wear or blurring. The slender curved spout and ring handle are firmly attached to the body, without any signs of repair or reattachment. This Song Dynasty Hutian kiln "Welcoming Clear Water" pot has an unglazed bottom, retaining the original buried soil layer, kiln rust, and mottled clay traces. The clay on the body is dry, without acid washing or polishing repair, exhibiting a natural aging state. This teapot was unearthed near the Hutian Kiln site in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province. It was exported overseas in the 1990s and is now in the collection of a private antique porcelain collector in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a major global trading center for Ming and Song dynasty porcelain and antiques. Description: This teapot is a top-tier representative of Song dynasty Hutian kiln celadon ware intended to welcome the Qing dynasty. It was a favorite everyday and decorative ceramic piece among the literati of southern China during the Song dynasty. The teapot has a full and sturdy cylindrical body that gradually widens towards the foot, creating a beautiful shape. One side features a long, upturned spout with smooth, flowing lines; the other side has an ergonomically designed C-shaped handle for a comfortable grip. The symmetrical design of the spout and handle creates a perfectly balanced visual effect. The lid is an original tall cylindrical shape, decorated with vertical lines, and topped with a hand-carved seated mythical beast. The beast's facial features are distinct, its limbs clearly defined, and its expression innocent and lively, showcasing the exquisite sculpting techniques of Song dynasty ceramics. The exterior of the pot is entirely carved with deeply engraved lotus scroll patterns, with winding vines encircling layers of full lotus flowers, and the veins of the leaves are meticulously depicted. The varying depths of the carving create a striking contrast of light and shadow under the translucent light blue glaze, resulting in rich and captivating layers. The glaze of this piece is the pale bluish-white characteristic of Hutian kiln Yingqing celadon, crystal clear and lustrous, covered with a natural, fine crackle glaze accumulated over hundreds of years, presenting a profound ancient charm. The unglazed foot rim reveals the dense, milky-white kiln clay, naturally covered with ancient rust and kiln spots, a key identifying feature of Hutian kiln porcelain. Yingqing celadon was known as "imitation jade" in ancient China and was deeply loved by Song Dynasty literati. Today, well-preserved Yingqing celadon pieces that retain their original animal-shaped lid and complete lotus decoration are extremely rare. This piece integrates the core techniques of Song Dynasty ceramics, including wheel throwing, relief carving, glazing, and figure sculpting, combining practical function with the simple and elegant beauty of Song Dynasty art. As a highly competitive core collectible in the ancient porcelain market, it is enthusiastically sought after by ancient ceramics collectors around the world.

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