Page 132 - Fine Chinese Works of Art Bonhams Hong Kong May 2018

The present vase is possibly the finest example of its type, displaying 撇口，細頸，溜肩，垂腹，圈足略外撇。 頸部飾三層紋飾，從上至下
superb painting in vibrant and vivid cobalt blue. 依次為蕉葉、萱草、如意紋，腹部繪竹石芭蕉，襯以秀石、翠竹、蕉
葉、蘭花，構成「五瑞圖」，腹部近足處飾變形蕉葉紋，足牆飾朵花
The design of bamboo, plantain and rocks has been much favoured 紋一周，器底青花書「大清乾隆年製」篆書款。
by Chinese literati on account of its auspicious connotations. Bamboo
symbolises longevity, endurance and loyalty, as it does not break in 此件玉壺春瓶無論從造型、線條、胎質、釉光、青花發色還是繪畫工
the wind and remains green in winter. The plantain tree is a symbol 藝，均超過同類器種，為乾隆時期青花瓷佳作。其線條流暢，胎質細
of education from the classical legend of a scholar who wrote on 膩，釉面光潔瑩潤，青花色調明快，層次豐富，紋飾描繪細膩，筆意
plantain leaves since he was too poor to afford any paper, hence 嫻熟。其芭蕉竹石部分使用點塗技法，筆觸表現淋漓盡致，其畫工、
much admired by the Chinese for its fruit and large ornamental leaf. 佈局及神韻頗有永樂宣德時期之風骨，為後朝所不及。
Rocks represent durability and steadfastness and thus are symbols of
reliability and friendship. 玉壺春瓶式樣最早宋代創製，初期本為酒器，其後因器形秀美，逐漸
作為陳設之用。此式以芭蕉、翠竹、秀石為題材裝飾的玉壺春瓶亦稱
The decoration of the present lot is found on porcelains as early as 「三友瓶」，為清宮陳設之經典。竹石芭蕉紋飾古代文人繪畫偏愛的
the Hongwu period, and vases of closely related form and design 題材，寓意高雅清玄，最早見於明代洪武時期御窯，至明代永宣時期
are known from the Yongle reign: see a vase from the Qing Court 成為官窯燒製玉壺春瓶的裝飾題材，後清代各朝均有仿製，但尤以乾
Collection, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the 隆時期製品最為精美。
Palace Museum: Blue and White Porcelain with Underglaze Red (I),
Hong Kong, 2000, no.33. This form and design were revived during 明代永樂時期同類玉壺春瓶之原型，見《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全
the Qing period, within the framework of Imperial Qing porcelain 集：青花釉裏紅（上）》，香港，2000年，圖33。至清代雍正時期
commissions reproducing forms and designs of early Ming ceramics; 開始復燒，見香港蘇富比曾售出清雍正一例，2005年5月2日，拍品
see a blue and white vase, yuhuchunping, Yongzheng six-character 編號511。
mark and period, which was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 2 May
2005, lot 511. 乾隆一朝同式之青花竹石芭蕉圖玉壺春瓶，見台北故宮博物院藏一
例，著錄於《故宮藏瓷：清青花瓷》，卷二，香港，1968年，圖12
The present lot, distinguished in its elegant potting, impressive use 。另見北京故宮博物院藏一例，《故宮博物院藏古陶瓷資料選萃》，
of cobalt blue and refined delicacy from the early Ming examples, 卷二，2005年，圖181。另見香港天民樓藏一例，著錄於《天民樓藏
represents the height of the Qianlong period porcelain manufacture at 瓷》卷一，香港，1987年，圖62。
the Imperial kilns in Jingdezhen. Several similar examples, Qianlong
seal mark and period, are in important museum collections; see one 香港佳士得曾售出一件清乾隆青花竹石芭蕉圖玉壺春瓶，可資比
in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Porcelain of 較，2010年10月8日，拍品編號2773。
the National Palace Museum. Blue and White Wares of the Ch’ing
Dynasty, vol.2, Hong Kong, 1968, pl.12; another in the Palace
Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Gu tao ci zi liao xuan cui, vol.2, Beijing,
2005, pl.181; and a further example illustrated in Chinese Porcelain.
The S. C. Ko Tianminlou Collection, vol. 1, Hong Kong, 1987, pl.62.

A similar blue and white vase, yuhuchunping, Qianlong seal mark and
period, was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 8 October 2010, lot 2773.

128 | BONHAMS