Page 56 - Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Christie's Hong Kong May 29, 2019

PROPERTY FROM THE RUIXIULOU COLLECTION
3116
A VERY RARE ZITAN TEAPOT HOLDER 清 紫檀壺桶
QING DYNASTY (1644-1911) 壺桶有為茶壺保暖的功用。打開活動把手與圓蓋，把沖泡好的
Of plain cylindrical form in the shape of a traditional pail, the 茶壺安放其中，並把流置於壺桶口沿上之凹處；蓋上圓蓋及固
holder is flanked by two upright flared tabs with openings for the
arch-shaped removable handle. The handle is hinged on one side 定把手後，可以直接提著把手倒茶。壺桶一般以漆木製作或以
to insert into the openings above the fitted wood cover. There is 藤編織，容易損耗。以貴重木材紫檀製作，非常稀少，盡顯茶
a U-shaped opening at the rim for the spout of the teapot to be 事之高雅興致。見《木趣居—家具中的嘉具》，北京，2017 年，
placed, and reinforced by a ruyi-shaped metal mount. The body 頁 474，著錄一例黃花梨壼桶。
is encircled with a ring of metal mounted at the waist and the
bottom. The wood is of deep purplish black tone. 來源
7 ¿ in. (18 cm.) high 台灣瑞秀樓珍藏
HK$150,000-200,000 US$20,000-26,000
A teapot filled with hot water would have been put inside the
current holder, with the spout resting on the U-shaped opening
at the rim. After the fitted cover and handle are placed, tea
can be poured directly by holding the handle. It is very rare
to find a holder made exquisitely in zitan and being kept in
good condition, as most were made from rattan or softwood
and would have been easily disposable. A more elaborate
huanghuali teapot holder is illustrated in The Best of the Best:
The MQJ Collection of Ming Furniture, Beijing, 2017, p. 474.

54