Premium Recommendation -Coral Red-Glazed Gilt-Decorated Ewer, Qing Dynasty

*本次藏品：清代胭脂红釉描金执壶*

典藏尺寸：高：9.9cm上口径：10.9cm下口径：7cm

在清代丰富的瓷器艺术宝库中，胭脂红釉描金执壶以其独特的魅力脱颖而出。它不仅是一件实用的茶具或酒具，更是清代瓷器工艺巅峰水平的代表之作，承载着当时的社会文化、审美观念以及精湛的手工艺技术。

清代是中国瓷器发展史上的黄金时代，尤其是康雍乾三朝，制瓷工艺达到了前所未有的高度。皇室的重视和投入，以及国内外市场的需求，促使瓷器生产在规模、品种、工艺等方面都取得了巨大成就。在这个大背景下，各种创新的釉色和装饰技法不断涌现，胭脂红釉便是其中的佼佼者。

胭脂红釉创烧于清代康熙年间，它是一种以金作着色剂、在炉内经800℃左右烘烧而成的低温红釉。这种釉色明亮柔媚，似胭脂之色，故而得名。由于其色彩娇艳，宛如少女脸颊上的胭脂，又被称为“金红釉”。在雍正、乾隆时期，胭脂红釉得到了进一步的发展和完善，成为当时宫廷用瓷和贵族阶层喜爱的釉色之一。描金工艺作为与胭脂红釉相得益彰的装饰手法，也在这一时期广泛应用，为瓷器增添了华丽的金色线条和图案，提升了器物的艺术档次。

Among the rich treasure trove of porcelain art in the Qing Dynasty, the coral red-glazed gilt-decorated ewer stands out with its unique charm. It is not only a practical tea or wine vessel, but also a representative work embodying the pinnacle of porcelain craftsmanship in the Qing Dynasty, carrying the social culture, aesthetic concepts and exquisite handcrafting techniques of that era.

The Qing Dynasty was a golden age in the history of Chinese porcelain development. Especially during the reigns of Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong, porcelain-making craftsmanship reached an unprecedented height. The royal family’s attention and investment, coupled with the demands of domestic and foreign markets, drove porcelain production to achieve remarkable accomplishments in scale, variety and craftsmanship. Against this backdrop, various innovative glaze colors and decorative techniques emerged one after another, with coral red glaze being one of the most outstanding among them.

Coral red glaze was first fired during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty. It is a low-temperature red glaze colored with trace amounts of gold (Au) and fired in a kiln at around 800℃. Boasting a bright and delicate luster that resembles the shade of rouge, it thus gained its name. Thanks to its gorgeous hue, which is just like the rouge on a young girl’s cheeks, it is also known as “gold red glaze”. During the Yongzheng and Qianlong reigns, coral red glaze underwent further development and refinement, becoming one of the favored glaze colors for imperial court porcelains and among the aristocratic class. As a decorative technique that complements coral red glaze perfectly, gilt decoration was also widely applied during this period, adding magnificent golden lines and patterns to the porcelains and elevating their artistic grade.

*本次藏品：清代胭脂红釉描金执壶*

典藏尺寸：高：9.9cm上口径：10.9cm下口径：7cm

胭脂红釉的娇艳柔和与描金的华丽璀璨形成了鲜明的色彩对比，却又和谐统一。胭脂红色如同春日里盛开的桃花，温婉动人；金色则似阳光洒落，闪耀夺目。这种色彩搭配不仅增强了器物的视觉冲击力，还营造出一种高贵、典雅的氛围，体现了清代瓷器装饰艺术的高超水准。

执壶上的描金图案纹饰丰富多样，具有极高的艺术价值。常见的花卉图案如牡丹、兰花、梅花等，形态逼真，线条细腻，展现出自然的生机与美丽。云纹、回纹等传统纹饰则增添了器物的古典韵味。此外，一些执壶上还会描绘书法文字，如诗词、题款等，字体优美，内容富有文化内涵，进一步提升了执壶的艺术品味。

此执壶的装饰以 “胭脂红地描金兰草纹” 为主：壶盖与壶身以金彩勾勒兰草的叶片、花蕊，线条简练而富有动感，叶片舒展，花蕊点缀。兰草作为传统纹饰，象征 “君子之德”，执壶的盖面与壶身还以金彩书 “诗文”。

清代胭脂红釉描金执壶的造型设计独具匠心。整体造型端庄大方，线条流畅自然。壶身通常呈圆润的球形或椭圆形，既符合审美要求，又便于手持和倒水。壶嘴的设计巧妙，出水流畅且断水干脆，体现了实用性与艺术性的完美结合。壶把的弯曲弧度恰到好处，握持舒适，与壶身的比例协调。壶盖上的钮饰造型多样，有的为动物形象，有的为花卉造型，为执壶增添了一份灵动之美。

清代胭脂红釉描金执壶的胎体通常选用优质的瓷土，经过精心淘洗、炼制，确保胎质细腻、洁白、坚致。工匠们采用拉坯成型的方法，凭借熟练的技艺将瓷土塑造成执壶的基本形状，包括壶身、壶嘴、壶把和壶盖等部分。在制作过程中，对各部分的比例和造型要求极高，以确保执壶的整体美观和实用性。例如，壶嘴的出水要流畅，壶把的握持要舒适，壶盖与壶身要吻合严密。

施釉是制作胭脂红釉描金执壶的关键环节。在胎体成型并干燥后，工匠们会采用吹釉的方法将胭脂红釉均匀地施于胎体表面。吹釉是一种传统的施釉技法，通过竹管等工具将釉浆吹到胎体上，能够精确控制釉层的厚度和均匀度。胭脂红釉的釉层薄而均匀，色泽稳定，经过高温烧制后呈现出独特的胭脂红色调。烧制过程中的温度和气氛控制至关重要，稍有偏差就可能导致釉色不佳，出现色差、釉面不均等问题。

在胭脂红釉烧制完成后，进行描金装饰。描金所用的金料通常是纯金制成的金粉或金水，工匠们用细笔蘸取金料，在胭脂红釉的表面描绘出各种精美的图案和纹饰，如花卉、云纹、书法等。描金工艺要求工匠具备高超的绘画技巧和耐心，线条要流畅、细腻，金料的浓淡要适中，以保证图案的立体感和华丽感。描金完成后，还需要经过低温烘烤，使金料牢固地附着在釉面上。

胭脂红釉描金执壶作为清代高档瓷器的代表，主要服务于宫廷和贵族阶层。其精美的制作工艺和华丽的装饰风格反映了当时宫廷文化的奢华与精致。皇室对瓷器的品质和艺术效果有着极高的要求，这种需求推动了制瓷工艺的不断创新和发展。执壶上的描金图案和书法文字也常常蕴含着吉祥寓意和文化典故，体现了贵族阶层的审美情趣和文化修养。

胭脂红釉的创烧与西方文化的影响有一定关系。在清代，西方传教士和商人来到中国，带来了西方的科学技术和文化艺术。胭脂红釉的着色剂金的使用以及部分装饰风格可能受到西方金属器装饰的启发。同时，中国的瓷器也通过贸易和文化交流传播到西方，胭脂红釉描金执壶作为具有中国特色的瓷器品种，受到了西方人的喜爱和赞赏，成为中外文化交流的重要见证。

执壶作为一种实用的盛水或盛酒器具，其存在与当时的社会风俗和生活方式密切相关。在清代，饮茶、饮酒之风盛行，尤其是在文人雅士和贵族阶层中，茶会、酒宴是常见的社交活动。胭脂红釉描金执壶在这样的场合中使用，不仅具有实用功能，更是一种身份和品味的象征。它反映了当时人们对生活品质的追求和对社交礼仪的重视。

清代胭脂红釉描金执壶是特定历史时期的产物，它见证了清代瓷器工艺的辉煌成就和社会文化的繁荣发展。通过研究执壶的制作工艺、装饰风格等方面，我们可以深入了解清代的社会经济、文化交流等情况，具有极高的历史研究价值。

从艺术角度来看，执壶融合了多种精湛的工艺技法，如拉坯、施釉、描金等，展现了清代工匠们卓越的技艺水平。其独特的色彩搭配、精美的图案纹饰和优美的造型设计，具有很高的艺术欣赏价值，为艺术研究者提供了丰富的研究素材。

清代胭脂红釉描金执壶以其精湛的制作工艺、独特的艺术特色和丰富的文化内涵，成为中国瓷器艺术中的瑰宝。它凝聚了清代工匠们的智慧和心血，反映了当时社会的审美观念、文化风貌和工艺水平。无论是从历史研究、艺术欣赏还是收藏鉴赏的角度来看，都具有不可替代的价值。

The delicate softness of coral red glaze and the resplendent glamour of gilt decoration form a striking color contrast yet achieve harmonious unity. The coral red hue, like peach blossoms blooming in spring, exudes gentle elegance; the gold luster, akin to scattered sunlight, shines brightly and dazzlingly. This color combination not only enhances the visual appeal of the vessel but also creates an atmosphere of nobility and refinement, embodying the superb level of porcelain decorative art in the Qing Dynasty.

The gilt patterns on the ewer are rich and diverse, boasting extremely high artistic value. Common floral motifs such as peonies, orchids, and plum blossoms are rendered with lifelike forms and delicate lines, showcasing the vitality and beauty of nature. Traditional patterns like cloud scrolls and key fret patterns add a classical charm to the vessel. In addition, some ewers are adorned with calligraphic inscriptions such as poems and marks, featuring elegant fonts and culturally rich content that further elevates the artistic taste of the ewer.

The decoration of this ewer is dominated by "gilt-painted orchid patterns on a coral red ground": The leaves and stamens of the orchids on the lid and body are outlined in gold pigment, with concise yet dynamic lines, stretching leaves and dotted stamens. As a traditional decorative motif, the orchid symbolizes "the virtues of a gentleman". The lid and body of the ewer are also inscribed with poetry in gold pigment.

The shape design of the Qing Dynasty coral red-glazed gilt-decorated ewer is ingenious. The overall form is dignified and graceful with smooth, natural lines. The body is usually spherical or elliptical, which not only meets aesthetic standards but also facilitates holding and pouring. The spout is exquisitely designed to ensure a smooth water flow and a clean cutoff, reflecting the perfect integration of practicality and artistry. The curvature of the handle is just right, offering a comfortable grip and harmonious proportion with the body. The finials on the lid come in various shapes, including animal figures and floral designs, adding a touch of vivid beauty to the ewer.

The body of the coral red-glazed gilt-decorated ewer is typically made of high-quality porcelain clay, which undergoes careful washing and refining to ensure a fine, white, and compact texture. Craftsmen adopt the wheel-throwing technique, shaping the porcelain clay into the basic form of the ewer—including the body, spout, handle, and lid—with skilled craftsmanship. During the production process, strict requirements are imposed on the proportion and shape of each part to guarantee the overall beauty and practicality of the ewer. For instance, the spout must allow for smooth water flow, the handle must be comfortable to hold, and the lid must fit tightly with the body.

Glazing is a crucial step in making coral red-glazed gilt-decorated ewers. After the body is shaped and dried, craftsmen apply the coral red glaze evenly on its surface using the glaze blowing technique. Glaze blowing is a traditional glazing method, where glaze slurry is blown onto the body through tools such as bamboo tubes, enabling precise control over the thickness and uniformity of the glaze layer. The coral red glaze layer is thin and uniform with stable color. After high-temperature firing, it presents a unique coral red hue. Controlling the temperature and atmosphere during firing is of utmost importance—even a slight deviation may result in poor glaze color, such as color differences and uneven glaze surfaces.

Once the coral red glaze is fired, gilt decoration is carried out. The gold material used for gilding is usually gold powder or gold paint made of pure gold. Craftsmen dip fine brushes into the gold material and paint various exquisite patterns and motifs—such as flowers, cloud scrolls, and calligraphy—on the surface of the coral red glaze. Gilding requires craftsmen to possess superb painting skills and patience: the lines must be smooth and delicate, and the density of the gold material must be moderate to ensure the three-dimensional effect and glamour of the patterns. After gilding, the ewer undergoes low-temperature baking to make the gold material adhere firmly to the glaze surface.

As representative high-grade porcelain of the Qing Dynasty, coral red-glazed gilt-decorated ewers were mainly used by the imperial court and aristocratic class. Their exquisite craftsmanship and gorgeous decorative style reflect the luxury and refinement of court culture at that time. The royal family imposed extremely high requirements on the quality and artistic effect of porcelain, and such demands drove the continuous innovation and development of porcelain-making craftsmanship. The gilt patterns and calligraphic inscriptions on the ewers often contain auspicious implications and cultural allusions, embodying the aesthetic taste and cultural accomplishment of the aristocratic class.

The creation of coral red glaze is related to the influence of Western culture to a certain extent. In the Qing Dynasty, Western missionaries and merchants came to China, bringing Western science, technology, culture, and art with them. The use of gold as a colorant for coral red glaze and some of its decorative styles may have been inspired by Western metalware decoration. Meanwhile, Chinese porcelain was spread to the West through trade and cultural exchanges. As a porcelain variety with Chinese characteristics, coral red-glazed gilt-decorated ewers were beloved and admired by Westerners, becoming an important witness to Sino-foreign cultural exchanges.

As a practical vessel for holding water or wine, the existence of the ewer is closely linked to the social customs and lifestyle of the time. In the Qing Dynasty, the custom of drinking tea and wine prevailed, especially among literati and aristocrats, where tea parties and banquets were common social activities. Coral red-glazed gilt-decorated ewers used on such occasions not only served practical functions but also symbolized status and taste. They reflected people’s pursuit of quality of life and emphasis on social etiquette at that time.

The Qing Dynasty coral red-glazed gilt-decorated ewer is a product of a specific historical period, witnessing the brilliant achievements of porcelain craftsmanship and the prosperity of social culture in the Qing Dynasty. By studying the manufacturing techniques and decorative styles of the ewer, we can gain in-depth insights into the social economy and cultural exchanges of the Qing Dynasty, thus possessing extremely high historical research value.

From an artistic perspective, the ewer integrates a variety of exquisite craftsmanship techniques such as wheel-throwing, glazing, and gilding, demonstrating the outstanding craftsmanship of Qing Dynasty artisans. Its unique color combination, exquisite patterns, and elegant shape design have high artistic appreciation value, providing abundant research materials for art researchers.

With its exquisite manufacturing craftsmanship, unique artistic features, and rich cultural connotations, the Qing Dynasty coral red-glazed gilt-decorated ewer has become a treasure in Chinese porcelain art. It embodies the wisdom and painstaking efforts of Qing Dynasty craftsmen, reflecting the aesthetic concepts, cultural features, and technological level of society at that time. Whether from the perspective of historical research, artistic appreciation, or collection evaluation, it holds irreplaceable value.

*本次藏品：清代胭脂红釉描金执壶*

典藏尺寸：高：9.9cm上口径：10.9cm下口径：7cm

以上藏品相关信息请与：四川尚亿拍卖有限公司联系。 

For information about the above collections, please contact: Sichuan Jun Zailai Auction Group Co.