北朝筆記 vol.21 克利夫蘭博物館：北朝六系刻蓮瓣帶蓋陶壺 - Cleveland Museum of Art, Northern Dynasties Covered Jar with Carved Lotus Petals

此壺仍保留其原始蓋子，於現存實例中極為罕見。壺身缺失的把手部件極可能原本呈現蓮蓓狀。精美雕刻的蓮瓣覆蓋在壺肩與蓋面上，經透光綠釉處理後呈現出柔和而神秘的光澤。

在佛教中，蓮花象徵著清淨與脫俗，暗示該器物可能曾用於宗教儀式或相關禮拜活動。雙迴環狀的把手設計工藝精緻，推測原用於懸掛絲綢或其他織物，以固定蓋子位置。此種美學風格亦預示了鄰近地區後來綠青瓷風格的發展。

大都會博物館1916年東方部開幕展覽

Buy Now

北朝六系刻蓮瓣帶蓋陶壺

中國，北朝時期（386–581年）

尺寸：

陶蓋（釉面石器）：約 2.8 x 14.1 公分（1 1/8 x 5 9/16 英吋）

器本體：約 21.8 x 24.3 公分（8 9/16 x 9 9/16 英吋）

捐贈背景：該件作品由 Donna（生於1931）與 James Reid（1926–2020）於1997至2017年間收藏，並於2017年捐贈給克利夫蘭藝術博物館。

參考文獻：

von Spee, Clarissa. “Acquisition Highlights: Asian Art.” Cleveland Art: Cleveland Museum of Art Members Magazine vol. 58, no. 2 (March/April 2018): 10–11.

展覽歷史：

2018年3月17日至6月7日，該件作品曾參展於克利夫蘭藝術博物館的“Recent Acquisitions”新藏展覽。

北朝陶瓷以其獨具創新的造型、精緻的裝飾技法及跨文化的藝術風格而聞名。這一時期的陶瓷作品融合了來自中亞的裝飾元素與傳統中華工藝，不僅展現了高超的製作技術，也反映了當時社會對宗教、哲學與美學的追求。西方學者和收藏家對北朝陶瓷情有獨鍾，主要在於其藝術形式的實驗性、文化交流的歷史見證以及在世界陶瓷發展史上獨特且難得的地位。這些作品不僅是技藝與美學的結晶，更成為中西藝術對話的重要象徵。

Northern Dynasties ceramics are celebrated for their innovative forms, exquisite decorative techniques, and a unique cross-cultural artistic style. These works blend decorative elements from Central Asia with traditional Chinese craftsmanship, demonstrating not only outstanding technical skill but also reflecting contemporary pursuits in religion, philosophy, and aesthetics. Western scholars and collectors are particularly drawn to Northern Dynasties ceramics due to their experimental artistic expressions, their role as tangible witnesses of cultural exchange, and their unique, rare status in the history of global ceramic art. These pieces are not only masterpieces of technique and beauty but also serve as important symbols of dialogue between Eastern and Western art traditions.

FAQ – 常見問題解答（中英文）

問題 1

中文：問：什麼是北朝陶瓷？答： 北朝陶瓷指的是中國北朝（386–581年）期間所製作的陶瓷作品，其風格兼具中華傳統與中亞藝術影響，呈現出多樣化的裝飾與造型。

English:Q: What are the Northern Dynasties ceramics?A: Northern Dynasties ceramics refer to the pottery produced during China’s Northern Dynasties (386–581 AD), characterized by a blend of traditional Chinese and Central Asian artistic influences, resulting in diverse decorative styles and forms.

問題 2

中文：問：這件刻蓮瓣帶蓋陶壺有哪些獨特之處？答： 此陶壺保留了原始蓋子，極為罕見；精雕的蓮瓣紋飾及透光綠釉則賦予作品濃厚的宗教象徵意涵和藝術美感。

English:Q: What are the unique features of this Covered Jar with Carved Lotus Petals?A: The jar is unique in that it still retains its original cover—a rarity among surviving pieces. The beautifully carved lotus petals under a translucent green glaze lend the object a strong religious symbolism and aesthetic appeal.

問題 3

中文：問：北朝陶瓷與其他時期的陶瓷有何不同？答： 北朝陶瓷融合了中亞外來影響與中華傳統技藝，造型更為創新，裝飾更注重象徵與意涵，既展示了技藝的多樣性，也反映了當時跨文化交流的豐富背景。

English:Q: How do Northern Dynasties ceramics differ from ceramics of other periods?A: Northern Dynasties ceramics blend foreign influences from Central Asia with traditional Chinese techniques, resulting in innovative forms and symbolic decorations that highlight both the diversity of craftsmanship and the rich context of cross-cultural exchange.

問題 4

中文：問：為什麼西方學者和收藏家對北朝陶瓷特別感興趣？答： 西方對北朝陶瓷的興趣主要來自其獨特的實驗性造型、文化交流的歷史見證以及其在東西方藝術交流中的獨特地位，這些因素使其成為收藏與研究的焦點。

English:Q: Why are Western scholars and collectors particularly interested in Northern Dynasties ceramics?A: The interest in Northern Dynasties ceramics in the West stems from their unique experimental forms, their role as historical evidence of cultural exchange, and their distinctive status in the dialogue between Eastern and Western art, making them a focal point for collectors and researchers.

問題 5

中文：問：如何鑑賞北朝陶瓷的藝術魅力？答： 欣賞北朝陶瓷時，可從其精湛的製作技藝、獨特的裝飾風格及所蘊含的宗教與文化象徵入手，這些細節共同展示了其在中國陶瓷史上的重要地位。

English:Q: How can one appreciate the artistic charm of Northern Dynasties ceramics?A: To appreciate the artistic charm of Northern Dynasties ceramics, one should observe the exceptional craftsmanship, the unique decorative styles, and the embedded religious and cultural symbols—all of which underscore their important role in the history of Chinese ceramics.

Covered Jar with Carved Lotus Petals

China, Northern Dynasties period (386-581)

Glazed stoneware Lid: 2.8 x 14.1 cm (1 1/8 x 5 9/16 in.);

vessel only: 21.8 x 24.3 cm (8 9/16 x 9 9/16 in.)

Gift of Donna and James Reid 2017.16

This jar still has its original cover, which is rare among surviving examples. Its missing knob most likely had the shape of a lotus bud. Beautifully carved lotus petals cover the vessel’s shoulder and lid under a translucent green glaze. In Buddhism, the lotus is a flower symbolizing purity and detachment from worldly affairs; its presence suggests that this vessel was meant to be used in a religious context. The well-crafted double loop handles may have held a silk cloth or other textile that would have been folded over the lid to keep it in place. This aesthetic prefigures the celebrated green celadons in adjacent regions.

Provenance

1997–2017

Donna [b. 1931] and James Reid [1926–2020], Cleveland Heights, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art

2017–

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH

Citations

von Spee, Clarissa. "Acquisition Highlights: Asian Art.” Cleveland Art: Cleveland Museum of Art Members Magazine vol. 58. no. 2 (March/April 2018): 10-11. Reproduced and Mentioned: P. 10.

Exhibition History

Recent Acquisitions. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (March 17-June 7, 2018).