Lot 039 A WUCAI ‘DRAGON AND PHOENIX’ BAMBOO-STYLE EWER 20TH CENTURY

Description

A WUCAI ‘DRAGON AND PHOENIX’ BAMBOO-STYLE EWER
20TH CENTURY
二十世纪 五彩龙凤纹缠枝莲竹节柄执壶
MEASUREMENTS
Max. Diameter: 14.3 cm, 5.6 in.
ESTIMATE
CAD 700 — 1,500
The ewer is elegantly fashioned with a compressed globular body, showcasing a well-proportioned and rounded silhouette. It features a graceful curved spout and a sturdy handle meticulously molded in the form of a bamboo section, adding a touch of naturalistic flair to the scholarly design. The vessel is crowned with a flat, stepped cover centered by a small bud-shaped finial, ensuring a precise fit. The exterior is vibrantly decorated in a rich Wucai (five-color) palette, depicting the classic imperial theme of a “Dragon and Phoenix” amidst a dense ground of interlocking floral scrolls. The dragon is rendered with powerful, sinuous energy, while the phoenix is shown in a graceful, dancing flight, together symbolizing the harmony of Yin and Yang.
此执壶形制精巧，呈扁圆腹，器身饱满且线条流畅。其独特之处在于曲柄设计为竹节形，造型生动，富有文人意趣。弯流婉转，盖部规整，顶饰圆钮，与壶口严丝合缝。壶身主体以五彩工艺绘就“龙凤呈祥”纹：矫健的游龙与翩跹的飞凤穿梭于繁密的缠枝莲纹之间。色彩鲜艳明快，红、绿、黄、紫等釉上彩料交互辉映，布局繁而不乱。壶嘴、提柄及盖面亦辅以相应的花卉纹饰，工艺严谨。
The “Dragon and Phoenix” motif is one of the most celebrated allegories in Chinese decorative arts, traditionally representing a blissful marriage and imperial favor. The use of the Wucai technique, characterized by its bold outlines and saturated enamels, lends the piece a vibrant, festive aura. The bamboo-shaped handle is a sophisticated addition, representing “integrity and longevity” (zhujie). Standing at a comfortable 14.3 cm in diameter, this ewer serves as both a functional tea vessel and a decorative masterpiece, reflecting the 20th-century revival of Wanli and Kangxi-style polychrome porcelains. It embodies the enduring appeal of classical symbolism and technical excellence in modern ceramic art.
龙凤纹是中国传统艺术中最高规格的吉祥纹饰，寓意“阴阳和谐、吉祥富贵”。此执壶将这一题材与五彩工艺相结合，通过强烈的色彩对比和细腻的笔触，重现了清早期五彩瓷器的热烈与繁华。竹节柄的设计不仅增加了器物的结构美感，更赋予了其“节节高升、虚心有节”的文化内涵。腹径14.3厘米，器型稳重，既是一件实用的雅具，也是研究二十世纪景德镇窑厂传承明清釉上彩装饰风格的重要参考实物。
CONDITION REPORT
• Condition: In overall excellent condition. The enamels are vibrant and well-adhered. The spout and handle are free of any chips, cracks, or restorations. Minimal age-appropriate surface wear.
• 状况： 整体品相极佳。五彩发色鲜艳，釉面结合稳固。流部与竹节柄均经检测，无任何崩口、裂纹或修复迹象。见轻微时代特征之表面磨损，保存状况理想。