Page 22 - Bonham's Asian Art London November 12, 2015
P. 22
A TRIUMPH OF GLAZE – LONGQUAN WARES
FOR THE SCHOLAR’S STUDIO
Lots 22-34
The following group presents a carefully curated Described as a triumph of glaze, Longquan
collection of Longquan wares for the scholar’s celadons are prized for their thick, unctuous
studio. To the traditional Chinese literati whose life and smooth glaze, with tones ranging from pale
was dedicated to Confucian scholarly pursuits: sky blue to olive green. Its lustrous and glossy
studying the ancient classics, writing poetry, surface, a result of the high mass of expanded
playing music, practicing calligraphy and painting, air bubbles within the glaze, is often compared to
the studio was an important sanctuary dedicated the attractive qualities and polish of jade. Due to
for study and contemplation. Objects that were this jade-like appearance and texture, Longquan
used and placed in this space were chosen with ceramics became an appealing and appropriate
great care. More than simple functional utensils ware for scholar’s objects, with many censers,
or decorative art curios, objects for the scholar’s boxes and covers and vases produced.
studio also provided philosophical and moral
inspiration through auspicious symbolism.
