Page 24 - Six treasures of IMpeerial Art Sothebys Hong Kong April 3 2019

AN EXOTIC OBJECT AT THE CHINESE COURT

REGINA KRAHL

In the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), when the Yongle Emperor’s Song for a Xuande Ware Bottomless Jar
(r. 1403-1424) diplomatic missions to the Near and Middle Second only to guan and Ru wares,
East and to Africa were only distant episodes recorded in it’s the Xuande and Chenghua that are praised,
historic chronicles, a piece such as this must have seemed For as age succeeded age,
highly exotic at court. Clearly exhibiting all the cherished though the making became finer,
characteristics of Chinese porcelain from the early Ming Just as skill involved for wheeled carriages
period (1368-1644), but of intriguing shape and decoration, gradually changed,
it was undoubtedly an object of wonder in the Qing imperial One may want to recover the start,
collection. It is not surprising that an astute observer such but, alas, who ever can!
as the Qianlong Emperor (r. 1736-1795) was fascinated by This piece basically emulates
what he called a ‘bottomless jar’ (wudangzun) and attributed zun vessels and lei wine jars,
to the Xuande period (1426-1435). He not only composed But why is it made without a bottom,
two poems about vessels of this type and had the porcelain impossible to hold water!
copied by the imperial kilns, but the Zaobanchu records for Now, don’t say this means
the year Qianlong 36 (1771) state that he also commissioned We should be criticised,
a wooden stand to be made for such a piece, that in 1772 a As when Tang Xigong had the occasion
zitan stand was submitted and he ordered it to be inscribed to confront Marquis Zhao,
with one of his poems. The poem in question is probably the Who belittled a pottery goblet and
following (translated by Dr Richard John Lynn; fig. 1):
so valued the glitter of a jade,
Whose liquid when poured leaked out,
unable to hold it at all.
Then, he used the pottery one
and just set the jade one aside.
That its three folds integrate nicely,
does this surprise or not?
Though the porcelain is without a mark,
We provide it with a title.
The copper lining held inside
brings green malachite to life,
On the base of which “Xuande” is inscribed,
for the lining is from the “Great Ming”.
Fitting together as do inner and outer garment,
as close as elder and younger brother,
Though several hundred years have passed.
these join well together.
Since it is treasured as a numinous object,
trust that Our words are sincere:
Not only can it store water,
it holds flowers as well,
So as the meaning of Our gentle words unravel,
may they calm all the six emotions.

22 SOTHEBY ’S SIX TREASURES