2013年，美國紐約蘇富比拍賣了一件看似普通的定窯碗，賣家3美元購自跳蚤市場，在四個競爭對手的爭奪下，著名英國古董商Eskenazi以225萬美元買下。
CNN拍賣後立刻採訪了贏家Eskenazi、蘇富比拍賣師司徒河偉（Henry Howard-Sneyd），Eskeazi提到全世界僅有2件同類存世，這是其中一件也是唯一一件可以流通的藏品。司徒河偉回憶起這個拍賣，也提到當時他們把大英博物館的Oppenheimer舊藏同款與拍賣225萬美金的這件放在一起，“side by side”，而蘇富比的這件更勝一籌。
時隔十一年，重新審視Eskenazi當時的選擇，無疑覺得這個價格並不貴。這也是一個頂級古董商的超前眼光與魄力。司徒河偉也感慨，他就是有這樣的眼光，還有對質量的肯定和直覺。
Oppenheimer, British Museum.
In 2013, Sotheby’s New York auctioned what appeared to be an ordinary Ding kiln bowl. The seller had bought it for $3 at a flea market, and after intense competition between four bidders, renowned British antiques dealer Eskenazi acquired it for $2.25 million.
Following the auction, CNN immediately interviewed the winning bidder, Eskenazi, and the Sotheby’s auctioneer, Henry Howard-Sneyd. Eskenazi mentioned that there are only two such pieces known to exist worldwide, with this being the only one available on the market. Howard-Sneyd recalled the auction, mentioning that they had displayed this piece “side by side” with an identical one from the Oppenheimer collection in the British Museum, and Sotheby’s bowl was considered superior.
Looking back eleven years later, it’s clear that Eskenazi’s choice was a forward-thinking and bold one, and the price no longer seems steep. This reflects the vision and decisiveness of a top-tier antiques dealer. Howard-Sneyd also noted that Eskenazi’s exceptional eye for quality and his instincts were key to this acquisition.
此碗胎體精巧，呈略微圓潤的陡壁外撇形，從矮小的外撇足逐漸收窄至直立口沿。內壁巧妙地雕刻有卷曲的蓮花葉紋飾，外壁雕刻並模印了三層重疊的直立葉片，整體施以均勻的象牙色釉，底部有典型的淚痕。碗口沿及足沿未施釉，露出緻密細膩的胎質。
the finely potted body of slightly rounded and steep flared form rising from a short spreading foot to an upright rim, deftly carved to the interior with scrolling leafy lotus sprays, the exterior carved and molded with three rows of overlapping upright leaves, applied overall with an even ivory-colored glaze with characteristic teardrops at the base, the rim of the bowl and the footrim left unglazed showing the fine compact body beneath
品相
口沿輕微變形，足沿略微不規則。內壁靠近口沿處有一個約0.4厘米的小燒製裂痕，除此之外，碗整體狀況良好。
Condition
The rim is very slightly warped and the foot rim is not perfectly circular. There is a tiny firing tear under the rim on the interior approx. 1/8 in. (0.4 cm) long, otherwise the bowl is in overall good condtion.
此碗展示了博物館及私人收藏中被譽為最優秀“定窯”器物的所有特徵。定窯以薄胎、近乎白色的精細胎體及象牙色釉聞名，釉層通常因流釉而形成略深的“淚痕”。“定窯”被列為宋代“五大名窯”之一，這一稱號由明清時期的收藏家所創。此碗高品質的胎體表現在其羽毛般輕盈的重量上，雕刻的碗壁特別薄且精巧。胎體白度尤為特殊，如大多數定窯器物，無需塗抹化妝土即可在燒製後呈現白色。釉層技法精湛，內壁的蓮花紋飾與外壁的重疊葉片設計和諧一致。定窯的設計通常展現出高度的自然與流暢，但此碗的製作者似乎特別擅長以隨性的方式刻畫線條，創造出自由的裝飾風格。碗的形狀也值得注意，雖然此類形狀在定窯碗中較為稀少，但類似的形狀在宋代的銀製品中有記載。例如，參見《中國金銀玻璃琺瑯器全集》，第二卷（2），石家莊，2000年，圖版261，內有一件銀碗，另一件形狀較圓的銀碗外壁也刻有類似的重疊直立葉片裝飾，見圖版262。
僅有一件與此碗形狀、尺寸和裝飾幾乎相同的碗為人所知，即大英博物館收藏的該件，刊登於《世界名藏：東方陶瓷》，第五卷，東京，1981年，圖版57。此碗於1947年由Henry J. Oppenheim贈予博物館，並與少量其他定窯器物一起收藏，包括圖版62中的葉緣盤和圖版61中的刻有孩童與花卉紋飾的碗。
與定窯相關的窯址位於河北省定縣曲陽，該地在古代稱為“定州”。定窯的生產主要以碟、碗等小型實用器為主，10至11世紀初期多以素面為主，無裝飾。11世紀末至12世紀早期，開始出現越來越多的刻紋與雕刻裝飾，到13世紀則以模印密集紋飾為主。倫敦維多利亞與阿爾伯特博物館的宋代陶瓷藏品研究中，羅絲·克爾（Rose Kerr）提到：“定窯作為官窯，其裝飾特徵尤為顯著。這便是模仿其他更珍貴材質如金銀的傾向，而宮廷珍藏中存放著大量這類材質的器物”。更多資訊請參見羅絲·克爾《宋代陶瓷》，倫敦，1982年，第102頁。
CNN報導（2013年）：
一個稀有的中國碗在美國以約3美元的價格從庭院拍賣會中被買下，於周二在紐約拍賣會上以220萬美元售出。
這隻碗在紐約州被發現，“2007年夏天在賣方家附近的標籤售賣會上以幾美元的價格購得，”蘇富比的Cecilia Leung表示，“當時購買者完全不知道他們發現了一件有1000年歷史的寶藏。”
前主人將這隻碗放在他們的客廳中展示了幾年，直到對它的來歷產生好奇並進行鑒定，Leung表示。蘇富比的拍賣前估價在20萬至30萬美元之間，而該碗的直徑僅為5英寸。
這件“定窯”碗是北宋時期陶器的代表，被蘇富比描述為“非凡且極其美麗的”。
據蘇富比稱，目前唯一已知與其大小、形狀和裝飾幾乎相同的碗已在倫敦大英博物館收藏超過60年。
這隻碗在四名競爭者的激烈競拍中，最終被倫敦的古董商Giuseppe Eskenazi以225萬美元購得。
BBC報導（2013年）：
一隻稀有的中國碗在紐約州的車庫拍賣中以幾美元的價格購得，最終以220萬美元（約147萬英鎊）成交。
這隻來自北宋的1000年歷史的定窯碗在2007年以3美元購買。
該碗曾被展示於紐約一個家庭的壁爐架上，而他們完全不知其真實價值，蘇富比拍賣行表示。
該碗引發了一場激烈的競拍，最終於周二由倫敦古董商Giuseppe Eskenazi購得。
蘇富比最初估計該碗的價格最多為30萬美元。
被認為是全球最重要的東方藝術品古董商之一的Eskenazi最終以七倍於估價的價格拍下了此碗。
拍賣行表示，該藝術品經歷了一場漫長的競標戰，由Eskenazi和三位收藏家爭奪。
蘇富比表示，這隻碗是“宋代陶瓷的非凡且極其美麗的例子，以薄胎、近白色胎體和象牙色釉而著稱”。
唯一已知與此碗相同大小、形狀和幾乎相同裝飾的碗，自1947年由著名英國收藏家Henry J. Oppenheim捐贈以來，一直在倫敦的大英博物館收藏超過60年。
蘇富比表示，宋代陶瓷正越來越受到中國藝術收藏家的青睞。
Ding Bowl FAQ
What is a Ding bowl?
A Ding bowl is a type of Chinese ceramic pottery produced during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). They are renowned for their delicate thin-walled construction, an almost white body, and an ivory-colored glaze often characterized by darker "teardrop" streaks where the glaze has pooled. Ding wares, including bowls, were considered among the "five great wares" of the Song Dynasty by Ming and Qing dynasty collectors.
What is so special about the Ding bowl sold at Sotheby's in 2013?
The Ding bowl sold at Sotheby's in 2013 garnered significant attention due to several factors:
Its extraordinary journey: Originally purchased for $3 at a yard sale, the bowl was later identified as a rare and valuable artifact from the Northern Song Dynasty, ultimately selling for $2.2 million at auction.
Its rarity: Only one other bowl with the same size, shape, and nearly identical decoration is known to exist, and that piece is held in the British Museum's collection.
Exceptional quality: The bowl exemplifies the fine craftsmanship typical of Ding ware, with thin walls, a delicate carved design of lotus flowers and leaves, and a characteristic ivory glaze.
Where was the other known Ding bowl of this type found?
The other known Ding bowl of similar form, size, and decoration is housed in the British Museum in London. It was donated to the museum in 1947 by the prominent British collector Henry J. Oppenheim.
How was the Ding bowl decorated?
The Sotheby's Ding bowl features a carved and molded design. The interior displays a scrolling leafy lotus spray, while the exterior is adorned with three rows of overlapping upright leaves. This combination of carving and molding techniques contributes to the bowl's elegant and intricate appearance.
What is the significance of the "teardrops" on the glaze?
The "teardrops" are a distinctive feature of Ding ware glaze. They occur during the firing process as the liquid glaze flows down the sides of the piece, creating areas of slightly darker pooling. These teardrops are considered a mark of authenticity and contribute to the unique aesthetic of Ding ceramics.
Where were Ding wares produced?
Ding wares were primarily produced in kilns located in Quyang, within Ding county in Hebei province. This region was historically known as "Dingzhou," giving the pottery its name.
What types of objects were typically produced as Ding ware?
Ding kilns primarily produced smaller, utilitarian items like dishes and bowls. Initially, in the 10th and early 11th centuries, these wares were mostly undecorated. However, from the late 11th and early 12th centuries, incised and carved decoration became increasingly prevalent, and later in the 13th century, molded designs became more common.
Why are Ding wares considered "official ware"?
Ding wares are believed to have been produced for the imperial court during the Northern Song Dynasty, hence their designation as "official ware." This connection to the imperial court contributed to the high level of craftsmanship and refined aesthetic qualities found in Ding ceramics. They also often imitated the forms and decorations of more precious materials like gold and silver, which were highly prized in the imperial court.
Catalogue Note
The present bowl displays all the characteristics attributed to the finest ‘Ding’ wares known in museum and private collections. Celebrated for their thin potting, fine near-white body and an ivory-colored glaze which tends to run down in somewhat darker ‘tears’, ‘Ding’ wares were ranked among the ‘five great wares’ of the Song a term coined by collectors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The high quality of the potting seen here is evident in the feather light weight of the bowl with the carved walls especially thin and delicate. The whiteness of the body is also special, as is the case with most ‘Ding’ wares, it did not require the application of a slip to appear white after firing. The glaze is expertly applied with the incised lotus spray design seen in the interior of the bowl in harmony with the overlapping leaves applied to the exterior of the piece. ‘Ding’ designs generally display a high level of naturalness and fluidity, however, the maker of this bowl appears to have been particularly skilled at rendering his lines in a spontaneous manner, creating a decoration that is especially free in style. The shape of the bowl is also worth noting as, while rare amongst ‘Ding’ bowls, the type is known from silver examples of the Song period. For example, see a bowl illustrated in Zhongguo jin yin poli falangqi quanji, vol. 2 (2), Shijiazhuang, 2000, pl. 261, together with another silver bowl of more rounded body but the exterior molded with layers of overlapping upright leaves, reminiscent of that seen on this bowl, pl. 262.
Only one other bowl of the same form, size and almost identical decoration is known; the piece in the British Museum London, published in The World’s Great Collections. Oriental Ceramics, vol. 5, Tokyo, 1981, pl. 57. This bowl was bequeathed to the museum in 1947 by Henry J. Oppenheim, together with a small number of other ‘Ding’ pieces, including a plain dish with foliate rim, pl. 62, and a bowl with molded decoration of boys and flowers, pl. 61.
The kiln site identified with ‘Ding’ ware is located at Quyang in Ding county, Hebei province. This was an area formerly known as ‘Dingzhou’. ‘Ding’ production consisted mostly of small utilitarian wares such as dishes and bowls, generally left in their natural form undecorated in 10th and early 11th century. From the late 11th century and early 12th century they are increasingly incised and carved and later through the thirteenth century mold-impressed and densely patterned. Rose Kerr in her work on the collection of Song ceramics in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, mentions that the ‘fact that Ding ware was an official ware made one feature of its decoration especially pronounced. This was its tendency to mimic other, more precious materials such as gold and silver, huge quantities of which were stored in palace treasures’. See Rose Kerr, Song Ceramics, London, 1982, p. 102, for further information.
CNN reports (2013):
A rare Chinese bowl bought for about $3 from a yard sale in the U.S. sold for $2.2 million at an auction in New York on Tuesday.
The bowl, found in New York state, “was bought for a few dollars from a tag sale near the consignor’s home in the summer of 2007,” said Cecilia Leung of Sotheby’s. “At the time, the purchaser had no idea that they had happened upon a 1,000-year-old treasure.”
The previous owner displayed the bowl in their living room for several years before they became curious about its origins and had it assessed, Leung said. Sotheby’s pre-sale estimates valued the bowl, which measures just five inches in diameter, at between $200,000 to $300,000.
The ‘Ding’ bowl is an example of Northern Song Dynasty pottery and described by Sotheby’s as “remarkable and exceptionally beautiful.”
The only other known bowl of the same size, form and almost identical decoration has been in the collection of the British Museum in London for over 60 years, according to Sotheby’s.
The bowl was purchased by London dealer, Giuseppe Eskenazi, for $2,225,000, after a prolonged battle between four bidders.
BBC reports (2013):
BBC reports:
A rare Chinese bowl bought for a few dollars at a New York state garage sale has sold for $2.2m (£1.47m).
The 1,000-year-old Ding bowl from the Northern Song Dynasty was bought for $3 in 2007.
It was displayed on the mantelpiece of a New York family who had no idea of its real worth, auctioneers Sotheby's said.
The bowl sparked a sales battle before being snapped up by London dealer Giuseppe Eskenazi on Tuesday.
Sotheby's originally estimated that the bowl, which measures just 5in (12.7cm) in diameter, would sell for $300,000 at most.
Mr Eskenazi, recognised as one of the most important dealers in Oriental art in the world, paid more than seven times its estimated value.
The art dealer entered into a "prolonged" fight with three other collectors, Sotheby's said.
Sotheby's said the bowl is a "remarkable and exceptionally beautiful example of Song pottery, celebrated for its thin potting, fine near-white body and ivory coloured glaze".
The only known bowl of the same form, size and almost identical decoration has been in the collection of the British Museum in London for more than 60 years, after being left to the museum by the prominent British collector Henry J Oppenheim in 1947.
Sotheby's said Song ceramics are increasingly being sought after by Chinese art collectors.
Timeline of Events
10th - early 11th Century: Production of ‘Ding’ wares, primarily small utilitarian pieces, in their natural form, undecorated, takes place in Ding county, Hebei province.
Late 11th - early 12th Century: ‘Ding’ wares begin featuring more incised and carved decorations.
13th Century: Mold-impressed and densely patterned decorations become dominant in ‘Ding’ ware production.
1947: Henry J. Oppenheim bequeaths a ‘Ding’ bowl of similar size, shape, and decoration to the British Museum in London.
2007: An anonymous individual purchases a ‘Ding’ bowl for $3 at a tag sale in New York state, unaware of its historical significance.
2013:
March: Sotheby's New York announces the upcoming auction of the ‘Ding’ bowl.
March 19th: Sotheby's New York auctions the ‘Ding’ bowl. After fierce bidding from four individuals, London antiques dealer Giuseppe Eskenazi acquires it for $2.25 million.
March 19th: CNN and BBC publish articles reporting on the auction and the remarkable story of the bowl's journey from a yard sale to a multi-million dollar acquisition.
2024: Eleven years after the auction, Eskenazi's acquisition is recognized as a testament to his vision and the bowl's value continues to appreciate.
Cast of Characters
Giuseppe Eskenazi:
A renowned British antiques dealer specializing in Oriental art.
Purchased the ‘Ding’ bowl at the 2013 Sotheby's auction for $2.25 million.
Recognized for his exceptional eye for quality and his bold acquisition strategies.
Henry Howard-Sneyd:
Auctioneer at Sotheby's New York who conducted the 2013 auction of the ‘Ding’ bowl.
Recalled the auction, noting that the Sotheby's bowl was displayed "side by side" with a similar one from the British Museum and considered superior.
Highlighted Eskenazi's expertise and instinct in acquiring the bowl.
Henry J. Oppenheim:
Prominent British collector who bequeathed a ‘Ding’ bowl of similar characteristics to the British Museum in 1947.
Anonymous Seller:
The individual who discovered the ‘Ding’ bowl at a tag sale in New York state in 2007, paying just $3.
Unaware of the bowl's true value and displayed it in their home for several years before having it appraised.
Cecilia Leung:
Representative of Sotheby's who commented on the 'Ding' bowl’s history and sale in 2013.
Provided details about the anonymous seller and their acquisition of the bowl at a tag sale.
Rose Kerr:
Scholar of Song dynasty ceramics and author of "Song Ceramics."
Her work highlights the significance of ‘Ding’ ware as an official ware and its tendency to imitate precious materials like gold and silver.
This timeline and cast of characters provide a comprehensive overview of the key events and individuals associated with the remarkable journey of the 'Ding' bowl.
Comments