Song Hutian Kiln Yingqing Hollowed Interlocking Floral Tripod Censer,10th-13th Century

拍品描述

Measurements:Overall height 12 cm / 4.72 inches, maximum diameter 13.8 cm / 5.43 inches,10th–13th Century Song DynastyCondition & Provenance:The lid and base form an original matching complete set, free of cracks, chips, breaks or restorations. Only natural aged brown burial encrustation marks remain on the three feet contact points. The entire original yingqing glaze layer is fully preserved with soft silky luster. All hollowed openwork floral carvings stay intact without wear or fused glaze blockages. The raised lotus petal relief around the body remains crisp and three-dimensional, and the matching tongue-and-groove rim fits tightly with no later replacement or alteration. This artifact was previously owned by a veteran antique porcelain collector in Hong Kong. It was acquired by a private East Asian ceramics collector in Seattle, Washington in 2022 and stored long-term in a temperature-controlled, light-blocking storage cabinet.Object Description:This exquisite yingqing porcelain censer was crafted at Hutian kilns during the Song Dynasty, a scholar’s studio incense burner used for aromatherapy and Buddhist rituals. The censer consists of two perfectly fitting pieces: a domed cover and cylindrical base connected by a tight matching rim. The dome lid features fully layered hollow openwork carving of winding interlocking floral scrolls. Open perforations allow incense smoke to flow freely, carved with fluid, delicate flower and vine details showcasing sophisticated ceramic craftsmanship. The straight cylindrical body is encircled by a raised relief band of full upturned lotus petals with distinct layered contours. Three decorative floral ruyi-shaped feet support the vessel evenly. The flat base is fully glazed, with natural ancient burial soil stains only where the feet rest on surfaces. Pale blue-white yingqing glaze covers both interior and exterior walls, translucent and glossy with a subtle lake-green tint, the signature iconic glaze tone of Hutian ware. Hollowed porcelain censers were extremely difficult to fire in the Song era, prone to warping or fused glaze within cutout sections during kiln firing. Surviving undamaged matching sets are quite rare. This specimen fully retains all original Song ceramic techniques including carving, openwork piercing and relief molding, perfectly embodying the refined, subtle aesthetic taste of Song literati culture, with outstanding functional, decorative and academic antique research value.

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