Chinese Ceramic Shapes (Qing Dynasty)

Independent art advisor and former Sotheby’s specialist, Edie Hu, attempts to explain the evolution of the form and function of notable shapes from the Yidetang Collection, a selection of imperial porcelain from the reign of 3 Qing Emperors in this article.

Enjoy!

https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/the-origins-and-evolution-of-chinese-ceramic-shapes?locale=en

Battle at Bowang Slope (The Three Kingdoms)

 

Having engaged Kong Ming (aka Zhuge Liang) as his strategist, Liu Bei began to gather his troops and train new soldiers. Upon receiving this news, Cao Cao quickly dispatched Xiaohou Dun to lead 100,000 troops to attack Xinye.

Zhuge Liang directed the battle. The plan was to lay an ambush on the left of Bowang Slope. A flame in the south would be the signal to attack. Zhao Yun was to lead the attack from the front...and lose. The army, including Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, were furious, especially when they learnt that Zhuge Liang wasn't going to be present on the battlefield. However, Zhuge Liang had Liu Bei's support, and no one dared to defy Liu Bei.

As planned, after battling a few rounds with Xiaohou Dun, Zhao Yun pretended to feign defeat and fled. Xiaohou Dun went after him. Upon reaching the narrow road leading up to the mountains, Xiaohou Dun and his army they were surprised when they came face-to-face with Guan Yu. When they ran to the right, they ran into Zhang Fei.

Cao Cao's army suffered severe losses in the battle at Bowang Slope, and Xiaohou Dun retreated in defeat. After the battle, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were thoroughly convinced of Zhuge Liang's abilities.

- Compiled from The Three Kingdom

Our Most Recently Added Item - Oct 2021

 

Description:

Old Hu Tian Yao Vase

Height: 27cm

To view our catalogue, please visit www.emperorsantique.com.

How Jingdezhen Kilns Have Evolved Over The Centuries (Chinese Kilns)

 

Check out the video (in link below) to get a glimpse into how kilns in Jingdezhen have evolved over the centuries 😍

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTBzyeCfS3M

3 Visits to the Cottage (The Three Kingdoms)

 

When Liu Bei arrived in Longzhong, he was informed that Master Zhuge Liang wasn't in. Liu Bei left in disappointment. A few days later, a messenger came and reported that Master Zhuge was back. Upon hearing this, Liu Bei, Zhang Fei and Guan Yu immediately left for Longzhong. Unfortunately, it was very windy and snowing heavily.

When the trio finally arrived, they found a young man reading in the hall. He turned out to be Zhuge Jun, the brother of Master Zhuge Liang. He promptly informed the trio that his brother had gone on a jaunt with friends. Once again, they left disappointed.

A few days later, the trio paid Zhuge Liang a third visit. When they arrived, Master Zhuge Liang was asleep. They waited at the bottom of the stairs for what seemed like forever.

When he finally awoke, he made a dazzling appearance. Liu Bei conveyed his wish to restore the state despite his limited means, and asked Master Zhuge Liang for his guidance. Master Zhuge Liang advised Liu Bei to take possession of Jingzhou as a base, then seize Yizhou. He also advised Liu Bei to make an alliance with Sun Quan before going to battle with Cao Cao.

- Compiled from The Three Kingdoms

1,000 miles of Scenery In A Scroll (Qing Dynasty)

 

The Southern Inspection Tour scroll - 1,000 miles of scenery within a few feet of paper and one of the finest Chinese paintings remaining in the US😍

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnJBRfQL8oQ

Commanding Advisor, San Fu (The Three Kingdoms)

 

Liu Bei returned to the city. There, he met a person on the street singing a song. Upon hearing it, Liu Bei wondered if it was about the Crouching Dragon or Young Phoenix. It turned out his name was San Fu, who also turned out to be a man of ability. Liu Bei made him an advisor of the army.

Around this time, Cao Cao's general, Cao Ren, led 20,000 troops and heading towards Xinye. San Fu sent Zhang Fei and Zhao Yu to confront the enemies. San Fu suggested they launch a surprise attack on Fancheng while it was left undefended.

Cao Ren and his army were defeated by Zhang Fei and Zhao Yu, and Cao Ren fled back to Fancheng. When he was greeted by Guan Yu at the city gate, Cao Ren fled to Xuchang.

When Cao Cao learnt about Liu Bei's clever advisor, San Fu, he turned to his strategist, Cheng Yu, for advice. Knowing San Fu (aka Xu Shu) was a filial son, Cheng Yu tricked his mother to come to the palace. It was there that he forged her handwriting and sent Xu Shu a letter.

When Xu Shu received the letter and thought his mother had been captured by Cao Cao, he cried and bade farewell to Liu Bei. Liu Bei was at a loss without Xu Shu present to advise him. Before he left, Xu Shu told Liu Bei to go to Longzhong to see a genius by the name of Zhuge Liang, (who also went by the name of Kong Ming, which literally meant Master Crouching Dragon) and seek his help.

- Compiled from The Three Kingdoms

Exhibition Showcases Classic Porcelain Styles (Celadon)

 

Looks like ceramic fans residing in China are in for a treat😜 An exhibition at the Zhejiang Museum's Wulin Pavilion is displaying ancient celadon artwork along with modern porcelain, presenting the passing-down of traditional crafts and providing young artists with a platform to show their ingenuity.

https://www.shine.cn/feature/art-culture/2109165099/

Liu Bei Seeks Shelter in Jingzhou (The Three Kingdoms)

 

Liu Bei was strengthening his forces in Runan. While Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were at war, he took 50,000 troops with him to attack the capital Xuchang. On the way, the crossed paths with Cao Cao's army and a battle broke out.

Liu Bei's army was no match for Cao Cao's. They were forced to retreat to the mouth of Han River with the remaining 1000 troops. Liu Bei was crushed by the defeat. Guan Yu consoled Liu Bei and managed to persuade him to go to Jingzhou to seek refuge with his relative, Liu Biao.

Upon arriving in Jingzhou, Liu Biao placed Xinye county in the Xiangyang area under Liu Bei's care. Liu Bei did a great job and was well respected by both his troops and the people. His wife, Lady Gan gave birth to a boy, and they named him Liu Chan. However, Liu Bei often lamented that he was living under Liu Biao's roof, yet to make a name for himself.

One day, Liu Bei came across a young cowherd on the road. He noticed the cowherd was happier than him. Upon seeing Liu Bei, the cowherd recognised him. He told Liu Bei that his master often spoke about a tall hero with huge ears, whose hands hung below his knees.

Liu Bei immediately asked who the cowherd's master was. When he learnt about Sima Hui (whose Taoist appellation was the Water Mirror), Liu Bei paid the Master Water Mirror a visit. It was there that he learnt about The Crouching Dragon and Young Phoenix.

- Compiled from The Three Kingdoms

Extremely Rare Teapot From Yongzheng Era (Qing Dynasty)

While this auction may have taken place over a decade ago, I still think it's worth listening to Nicolas Chow's brief introduction to a particularly exquisite Beijing enamel gold teapot and cover (3:10-4:50), which so happens to be 1 of the 2 existing pieces in the world!

Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSHs02XBpCg&list=RDCMUCelkSnSbxvIfjjD01uPHHbg&start_radio=1&rv=GSHs02XBpCg&t=99

Battle at Guandu (The Three Kingdoms)

 

After clashing a few times in the battlefield with Yuan Shao, Cao Cao's army was forced to retreat to Guandu. By then, Yuan Shao had 700,000 troops, while Cao Cao only had 70,000 well-trained troops.

It was then that Yuan Shao's advisor, Xu You defected to Cao Cao's camp. He advised Cao Cao to set fire to Yuan Shao's grain depot in Wuchao to derail his plans.

Cao Cao thought it was a brilliant idea. So, he chose 5,000 of his trained troops and camouflaged them by getting them to wear the same armour as Yuan Shao's army. This strategy allowed his soldiers were able to sneak into Yuan Shao's army camp in Wuchao.

The general guarding Wuchao loved to drink. So, Cao Cao's soldiers waited till he was extremely drunk before torching the grain depot. Chaos ensued and Cao Cao took this opportunity to strike.

Yuan Shao's army was thrown into confusion and he fled with 800 of his troops. After the battle at Guandu, Yuan Shao completely lost power. - Compiled from The Three Kingdoms