Jun Ware Sky‑Blue & Rose‑Purple Kiln‑Glazed Tripod Censer With Applied Beast Mask, Animal Handles And Rectangular Upright Ears, Jin‑Yuan Dynasty

拍品描述

Dimensions: 18 cm (7.09 inches) in diameter, 17 cm (6.69 inches) in height, 12th-14th century Jin-Yuan dynasty Junyao incense burner. Condition and Provenance: The incense burner is structurally intact, without cracks, defects, or signs of repair. The glaze is covered with fine, natural crackles. All relief animal masks and minor animal motifs are clear and complete. The two erect ears and three animal feet are intact, with natural signs of aging on the exposed foot rims. The interior is covered with a uniform light sky-blue glaze, with natural rose-purple kiln splashes visible on the rim and ears. There are no signs of modern repainting, refinishing, or artificial polishing. This piece was originally in the long-term collection of a European family and is now owned by a private collection of ancient Chinese ceramics in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Hong Kong is a major global market for pre-Yuan dynasty Chinese antique ceramics. Description: This Jin-Yuan Dynasty Junyao three-legged incense burner is modeled after the ancient bronze ritual vessel, the ding (鼎), blending the classical bronze ritual vessel form with the signature kiln-transformation technique of Jun ware. It was an important ritual vessel and decorative item in palaces and studies during the Jin-Yuan period. Its outline faithfully reproduces the shape of a Shang-Zhou bronze ding, with a wide, slightly constricted mouth, a full and rounded belly, and symmetrical rectangular handles on the rim. The sides of the body are decorated with animal head handles adorned with coiled cloud patterns, and three sturdy animal hoof feet provide stable support. The front of the belly features a striking three-dimensional animal face relief, with rounded, protruding eyes and distinctly layered mane giving it a strong sculptural feel. Smaller, abstract animal head reliefs are symmetrically placed on the upper part of the belly, adding to the decorative depth. The entire piece is covered with a thick, milky-white and sky-blue Jun glaze, with natural rose-purple kiln patterns spreading across the belly, rim, and handles. The blue, purple, and gray colors blend naturally, appearing seamless and untouched by any artificial embellishment. The hollow inner wall is covered with a thick, soft, light blue glaze, the surface of which is covered with fine, natural crackle patterns, formed over hundreds of years. The unglazed blank beneath the three legs is dense and rough, bearing the natural traces of clay left by the passage of time. During the Jin and Yuan dynasties, Jun ware produced a large quantity of bronze-style tripod incense burners, but today, large pieces like this, combining multi-layered animal reliefs, double animal-shaped handles, upright rectangular handles, and vibrant purple kiln decoration, are extremely rare. It inherits the solemn ritualistic connotations of ancient bronze sacrificial vessels while showcasing the naturally formed, mottled beauty of the Jun kiln firing process. This heavy incense burner has a majestic shape, lifelike carvings, and a natural, smooth transition of kiln colors, exhibiting distinct characteristics of its era. It is not only an important reference artifact for studying the shape and kiln firing techniques of Jin and Yuan dynasty Jun ware ritual vessels, but is also highly sought after for its exquisite decorative qualities, collectible value, and significant archaeological value.

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