Lot 031 A CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE ‘LANDSCAPE’ SQUARE WATER DROPPER QING DYNASTY

Description

A CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE ‘LANDSCAPE’ SQUARE WATER DROPPER
QING DYNASTY
清代 青花山水纹方形砚滴
MEASUREMENTS
6.4 x 6.9 x 3.2 cm, 2.5 x 2.7 x 1.2 in.
ESTIMATE
USD 600 — 900
DESCRIPTION
The water dropper is of square form, supported on four short corner feet. The top surface is painted in underglaze blue with a tranquil river landscape, featuring distant mountains and minimalist willow trees, centered by a circular aperture for water filling. One side is fitted with a small spout for controlled pouring. The cobalt blue is of a soft, muted tone, typical of folk kiln productions intended for the scholar’s desk. The base and feet are unglazed, showing the compact white paste of the ceramic body.
此砚滴呈方形，下承四矮足。顶面以青花绘远山近水之景，山峦起伏，杨柳依依，构图疏朗简约。顶面中心开一圆孔用以注水，侧边设一短流，方便研墨时控制出水量。青花发色平稳淡雅，胎质坚致。整器小巧精致，既是实用的书写工具，亦是极具文人气息的案头陈设。
CATALOGUE NOTE
Water droppers (Yandi) are essential components of the “Eight Treasures of the Scholar’s Studio.” Square-form droppers are particularly appreciated for their architectural stability and the flat surface they provide for landscape painting. The ‘Landscape’ motif (Shanshui) reflects the traditional Chinese literati’s yearning for a reclusive life in nature. This particular piece, with its naive yet expressive brushwork, exemplifies the charm of late Qing dynasty functional wares, where artistic beauty was integrated into the daily scholarly rituals of calligraphy and painting.
砚滴为文房常备用具，方形砚滴因其造型稳重、如同微型建筑，深受文人喜爱。其顶部的山水纹饰体现了传统文人寄情山水、向往自然的情怀。此件作品画工质朴而富有神韵，展现了清代中晚期文房用具将实用功能与艺术审美相结合的特点。
CONDITION REPORT
• Condition: In overall fair to good condition. Visible minor chips to the corners and the spout. Some surface wear and kiln grit, with natural age-related discoloration to the unglazed areas of the feet and base. No major cracks or professional restorations.
• 整体品相尚佳。 边角及流口见轻微磕缺。器表有自然磨损及窑灰，底足无釉处见自然氧化及陈旧感。无严重裂缝或专业修复。