拍卖信息

藏品描述

大明宣德年制朝天耳香炉，简称“宣德朝天耳炉”，是宣德年间（铸造的铜香炉中的经典器型。炉身为圆形，炉壁较厚，线条圆润饱满，敦实稳重。炉身下部渐收，底部为三足，足边外撇垂直，显得沉稳。双耳立于炉口之上，耳根与炉口沿紧密相连，耳尖微微上翘，状若双耳朝天，故得名“朝天耳”。耳的高度与炉身的直径、高度比例协调，既不显得笨重，也不会有单薄之感，整体呈现出一种端庄、肃穆、大气的美感。宣德炉所用铜料为进口的“风磨铜”，经多次提炼，杂质极少，铜质细腻，色泽纯净。铸造过程中还会根据需要加入金、银等多种贵金属，以改变铜的色泽和质感，炉底通常铸有“大明宣德年制”六字楷书款识，字体端正严谨，笔法遒劲。作为宣德炉这一中国铜器文化巅峰代表的著名款式，它以造型古朴庄重、线条简洁流畅寓意吉祥深远而著称，历来被视为铜炉收藏中的上品，深受历代文人雅士及鉴藏家的追捧。The Xuande Period Circular Ears Incense Burner of the Ming Dynasty, commonly referred to as the 'Xuande Circular Ears Incense Burner,' is a classic type of bronze incense burner cast during the Xuande period. The body of the burner is round with relatively thick walls, featuring smooth, full lines that convey a sturdy and stable appearance. The lower part of the body tapers gradually, and the base is supported by three feet with outward-flaring vertical edges, giving it a solid look. The double ears stand above the mouth of the burner, with their roots closely connected to the rim and the tips slightly turned upwards, resembling two ears pointing to the sky, hence the name 'Circular Ears Pointing to Heaven.' The height of the ears is proportionally balanced with the diameter and height of the body, ensuring it neither looks heavy nor appears thin, presenting an overall sense of dignity, solemnity, and grandeur. The bronze used in Xuande burners is imported 'feng-milled bronze,' refined multiple times with minimal impurities, resulting in a delicate texture and pure color. During casting, various precious metals such as gold and silver could be added to alter the color and texture of the bronze as needed. The base of the burner is usually inscribed with the six-character mark 'Made in the Xuande Period of the Great Ming' in regular script, featuring upright and meticulous characters with vigorous strokes. As a renowned representative of Xuande burners, which are a pinnacle of Chinese bronze culture, this type is celebrated for its simple and dignified design, smooth and elegant lines, and auspicious symbolism, making it highly esteemed in the collection of bronze burners throughout history, cherished by scholars, literati, and collectors alike.