拍賣筆記 vol.138 邦瀚斯倫敦：克拉克鈞窯，北宋鈞窯天藍釉撇口小碗 - Alfred Clark, A Junyao Light-Blue-Glazed Bowl
- SACA
- Mar 25
- 10 min read
Updated: Mar 27
這件克拉克舊藏的鈞窯可能是同款中最好的一件。克拉克的審美沉澱自1975年拍賣以來，已經多次被市場認可，並多次創世界紀錄。
這件鈞窯有可能繼克拉克汝窯、克拉克定窯之後，成為被歷史記住的克拉克鈞窯。
上手視頻提供：Adolphus.
北宋/金早期 鈞窯天藍釉撇口小碗
慧習相成：宋瓷人生
2025 年 5 月 15 日 10:00 BST
倫敦，新龐德街
£80,000 - £120,000
來源：
Alfred Clark先生 (1873-1950) 和Ivy Clark 夫人(1890-1976)，藏品標籤編號624
倫敦古董商Spink & Son Ltd.
Emmanuel Christofides (1928-2020)，雅典和倫敦，於1977年6月22日從上處獲得
展覽著錄：
杜樂麗橘園，《Arts de la Chine Ancienne》，巴黎，1937年，編號529
東方陶瓷學會，《Sung Dynasty Wares: Chün and Brown Glazes》，倫敦，1952年，編號72
東方陶瓷學會，《Ju and Kuan Wares: Imperial Wares of the Sung Dynasty, Related Wares and Derivatives of Later Date》，倫敦，1952年，編號18
亞洲藝術博物館，《L' Art de la Chine des Song》，巴黎，1956年，編號35
東方陶瓷學會，《The Arts of the Sung Dynasty》，倫敦，1960年，編號47
D.Priestley和M.Flacks，《A Life in the Company of Song Ceramics》， 倫敦，2017年，第28-29頁，編號8 （著錄插圖）
阿爾弗雷德·克拉克（Alfred Clark，1873–1950），出生於紐約，是一位著名的收藏家，1921年因與艾薇·桑德斯（Ivy Sanders，1890–1976）結婚而歸化為英國籍。他在聲音重現和電影方面皆是先驅，早於1895年便在位於新澤西州奧蘭治的愛迪生實驗室製作了最早具備情節與連續性的活動影像電影。1907年，他在巴黎國家歌劇院檔案館創立了「聲音博物館」（Musée de la Voix）。他同時積極參與東方陶瓷學會（Oriental Ceramic Society），並幾乎連續於1934年至1948年間擔任該學會的理事。他與妻子共同慷慨捐贈，支持了皇家藝術學院於1935至1936年間舉辦的展覽。1936年，他們捐贈了一件宋代陶瓷盤予大英博物館，並持續至1970年代，持續捐贈或出售中國與日本藝術品，進一步鞏固了他作為亞洲藝術重要贊助人的聲譽。（參見R. Davids與D. Jellinek合著，《傳承：藏家、商人與學者：英美地區的中國陶瓷》，牛津，2011年，第112–117頁。）
本碗之造型殊為罕見，其短圈足之上，碗口微微外撇，線條流麗雅致，別具一格。儘管鈞窯以乳光瑩潤的釉面及細微造型變化聞名，但本例之形制與常見的深腹或錐形碗迥然不同。其微妙的外撇口緣彰顯出精緻而嚴謹的製陶工藝，明顯超越了一般實用器皿的標準。
宋代五大名窯之一的鈞窯，以其迷人而典雅的藍色釉面著稱。值得注意的是，鈞窯之藍並非來自色料，而是透過一種特殊的光學效應所呈現：微小玻璃質顆粒懸浮於釉料中，散射出藍色光譜，產生瑩潤且引人入勝的色澤。這種創新的釉料工藝，充分展現出宋代陶工對材料的深刻理解與追求含蓄之美的精神。
不同於其他宋代名窯，鈞瓷所用胎土較為緻密且略帶孔隙，使其樸素而敦厚的造型更顯韻味。此材質特性使陶匠得以專注於造型本身的素雅，於本例可見一斑。此碗完美體現了吸引歷代學者及收藏家的觸覺魅力與精緻美學，其出色的傳承與多枚藏家標籤，更印證了其歷久彌新的珍貴價值，於中國陶瓷史上佔據重要位置。
可資對比的是另一件形制相近但尺寸較大的北宋鈞窯碗（直徑20.3公分），曾由第二代坎利夫勳爵羅夫·坎利夫（Rolf Cunliffe, 2nd Baron Cunliffe of Headley，1899–1963）收藏，後於2002年11月11日倫敦邦瀚斯拍賣行（Bonhams）售出，編號26，並刊載於《藏家、策展人、鑑賞家：東方陶瓷學會百年特展1921–2021》（倫敦，2021年，第177頁，編號54）。
關於艾佛烈·克拉克（Alfred Clark）鈞窯碗的常見問題
一、此件鈞窯碗的重要性為何？
此北宋至金代早期鈞窯碗被譽為非凡之作，堪稱同類作品中最為卓越者。其重要性不僅來自其本身極佳的品質，更因其顯赫的傳承歷史，尤以著名收藏家艾佛烈·克拉克長期珍藏最為引人矚目。克拉克對宋代瓷器（特別是汝窯與定窯）的精闢鑒賞，史上久負盛名，此件鈞窯碗亦有望與之並列，享有歷史性的地位。此外，此碗形制稀有，邊緣微微外撇，造型優雅，與一般常見的鈞窯器形大異其趣。
二、艾佛烈·克拉克是何人，其與此碗的關聯為何重要？
艾佛烈·克拉克（1873-1950）原籍美國，後入籍英國，是聲音重現與電影科技的先驅。他同時也是重要的亞洲藝術收藏家，尤精於中國瓷器。他積極參與東方陶瓷學會活動，並慷慨贊助博物館展覽。以「克拉克收藏」著稱的藏品，通常代表極高的品質與深厚的鑒賞力，因此擁有其收藏史的作品，市場與學術價值皆甚高。
三、此碗所展現的鈞窯陶瓷特徵為何？
鈞窯為宋代「五大名窯」之一，以其動人心魄的藍色釉彩著稱。此碗展現了典型的鈞窯淡藍乳光釉色，這種釉色並非來自色料，而是釉層中微小的玻璃質顆粒散射藍光所產生的視覺效果。此外，此碗也體現鈞窯器素樸而厚實的特點，所用的坯體緻密、微孔，便於匠人專注於造型的優雅而非複雜的裝飾。
四、此鈞窯碗的器形有何特殊之處？
此碗的器形在鈞窯傳統中相當罕見而別具特色。有別於常見的深腹或錐形碗，此器呈現微妙的曲線，從短直圈足徐徐上升至輕盈微外撇的口沿。此類口沿的精妙外展充分展現出製陶工藝的高超技術，增添一抹細緻的優雅氣質，使之超越了一般的實用瓷器。
五、此碗的估價及拍賣資訊為何？
根據目前資訊，此鈞窯淡藍釉碗估價約為80,000至120,000英鎊，將於2025年5月15日在倫敦邦瀚斯（Bonhams）新龐德街（New Bond Street）舉辦的「本能與知識：與宋瓷同行的人生」專場拍賣會中拍賣。
六、此鈞窯碗的收藏傳承（來源）是否可追溯？
是，此碗的傳承歷史清晰且完整。最初為艾佛烈·克拉克（1873-1950）及艾薇·克拉克夫人（1890-1976）所有，收藏編號624。隨後由倫敦古董商史賓克父子公司（Spink & Son Ltd.）收購，1977年6月22日售予居住於雅典與倫敦的收藏家艾曼紐·克里斯托菲德斯（Emmanuel Christofides，1928-2020）。
七、此鈞窯碗曾於何處展覽或出版？
此碗具有重要的展覽與出版記錄，包括1937年巴黎「中國古代藝術」展覽（Arts de la Chine Ancienne）、1952年倫敦「宋代瓷器：鈞窯與褐釉」展覽、同年「宋代御用汝官窯及相關窯口展覽」、1956年巴黎「宋代中國藝術」展覽（L' Art de la Chine des Song）、1960年倫敦「宋代藝術」展覽，以及2017年倫敦「與宋瓷同行的人生」展覽，均有出版及插圖。
八、此類鈞窯碗是否有相似作品可供比較？
文本提及一件直徑較大的北宋鈞窯碗（直徑20.3公分），同樣帶有類似的微撇口緣，原屬第二代昆利夫男爵（Rolf Cunliffe, 2nd Baron Cunliffe of Headley）收藏，曾於2002年11月11日在倫敦邦瀚斯拍出，並刊登於《收藏家、策展人、鑑賞家：東方陶瓷學會百年記錄（1921-2021）》一書中。此比較顯示了艾佛烈·克拉克所藏此件較小碗之形制罕見性與特殊性。
A JUNYAO LIGHT-BLUE-GLAZED BOWL
Northern Song/early Jin Dynasty
INSTINCT & KNOWLEDGE A LIFE IN THE COMPANY OF SONG CERAMICS
15 May 2025, 10:00 BST
London, New Bond Street
£80,000 - £120,000
A JUNYAO LIGHT-BLUE-GLAZED BOWL
Northern Song/early Jin Dynasty
Finely potted with deep curving sides rising from a short straight foot to a gently everted rim, covered in a light blue glaze suffused with a faint craquelure falling slightly unevenly above the foot rim, box. 11.4cm (4 1/2in) diam. (2).
Provenance:
Mr Alfred Clark (1873-1950) and Mrs Ivy Clark (1890-1976), collection label no.624
Spink & Son Ltd., London
Emmanuel Christofides (1928-2020), Athens and London, acquired from the above on 22 June 1977
Published and Exhibited:
Orangerie des Tuileries, Arts de la Chine Ancienne, Paris, 1937, no.529
Oriental Ceramic Society, Sung Dynasty Wares: Chün and Brown Glazes, London, 1952, no.72
Oriental Ceramic Society, Ju and Kuan Wares: Imperial Wares of the Sung Dynasty, Related Wares and Derivatives of Later Date, London, 1952, no.18
Musée Cernuschi, L' Art de la Chine des Song, Paris, 1956, no.35
Oriental Ceramic Society, The Arts of the Sung Dynasty, London, 1960, no.47
D.Priestley and M.Flacks, A Life in the Company of Song Ceramics, London, 2017, pp.28-29, no.8 (published and illustrated)
Alfred Clark (1873–1950) was a New York-born collector who became a naturalised British subject in 1921 after marrying Ivy nee Sanders (1890-1976). A pioneer in sound reproduction and film, he produced the first moving picture films with plot and continuity at the Edison Laboratory in Orange, New Jersey, in 1895. In 1907, he founded the Musée de la Voix in the Archives of the National Opera, Paris. An active member of the Oriental Ceramic Society, Clark served on its Council almost continuously from 1934 to 1948. Together with his wife, he was a generous contributor to the Royal Academy's 1935–36 exhibition. In 1936, they donated a Song-dynasty stoneware dish to the Museum and continued to donate and sell Chinese and Japanese works in the 1970s, solidifying Clark's reputation as a significant patron of Asian art. See R.Davids & D.Jellinek, Provenance: Collectors, Dealers and Scholars: Chinese Ceramics in Britain and America, Oxford, 2011, pp.112-117.
The shape of this bowl is rare, distinguished by its gently everted rim that rises elegantly from a short foot. While Jun wares are celebrated for their opalescent glazes and subtle variations in form, this particular profile deviates from the more commonly seen deep or conical bowls. The delicately flared rim lends an air of refinement and suggests a level of precision in potting that sets it apart from standard utilitarian forms.
Counted among the esteemed 'Five Classic Wares' of the Song dynasty, Jun wares are celebrated for their enchanting predominantly blue glazes. What sets this vivid blue apart is that it was not achieved through the use of pigments but rather through an optical phenomenon: minute glassy particles suspended in the glaze scatter blue light, creating its luminous and mesmerising hue. This innovative glazing technique exemplifies the Song potters' sophisticated understanding of materials and their dedication to subtle yet profound beauty.
Unlike other Song dynasty wares, Jun ceramics utilised a dense yet slightly porous clay body that complemented their simple, robust forms. This material quality allowed artisans to focus on unadorned yet elegant shapes, perfectly demonstrated by this exquisite example. The present lot embodies the tactile allure and refined aesthetics that have captivated scholars and collectors for centuries. Its impressive provenance, further evidenced by the array of collector's labels affixed to it, attests to its enduring appeal and its cherished place in the history of Chinese ceramics.
Compare with a related but larger Junyao bowl, Northern Song dynasty, (20.3cm diam.) of similar form with an everted rim, from the collection of Rolf Cunliffe, 2nd Baron Cunliffe of Headley (1899–1963). It was later sold at Bonhams London, 11 November 2002, lot 26, and illustrated in Collectors, Curators: Connoisseurs: A Century of the Oriental Ceramic Society 1921–2021, London, 2021, p.177, no.54.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Alfred Clark Junyao Bowl
What makes this Junyao bowl significant? This Northern Song/early Jin Dynasty Junyao bowl is considered exceptional, potentially the finest example of its type. Its significance is amplified by its distinguished provenance, most notably its long-held ownership by the renowned collector Alfred Clark. Clark's discerning taste in Song ceramics, particularly his Ru and Ding wares, has been historically recognized, and this Junyao bowl is poised to join them in historical importance. Its rare form, characterized by a gently everted rim and elegant lines, distinguishes it from more common Junyao shapes.
Who was Alfred Clark and why is his association with this bowl important? Alfred Clark (1873-1950) was a prominent American-born collector who later became a British citizen. He was a pioneer in sound reproduction and film. Beyond his technological contributions, Clark was an avid and influential collector of Asian art, particularly Chinese ceramics. He was an active member of the Oriental Ceramic Society and a generous supporter of museum exhibitions. The "Clark Collection" is highly esteemed, signifying exceptional quality and connoisseurship. Therefore, a piece with Clark's provenance carries considerable weight and historical value in the art market.
What are the key characteristics of Junyao ceramics that this bowl exemplifies? Junyao ceramics, one of the "Five Classic Wares" of the Song Dynasty, are celebrated for their captivating blue glazes. This bowl showcases the characteristic opalescent light-blue glaze achieved not through pigments but through an optical effect caused by minute glassy particles scattering blue light within the glaze. It also reflects the Jun ware tradition of simple yet robust forms, made possible by a dense, slightly porous clay body that allowed potters to focus on elegant shapes without elaborate decoration.
What is notable about the shape of this particular Junyao bowl? The shape of this bowl is considered rare and distinctive within the Junyao tradition. Unlike the more common deep or conical Junyao bowls, this example features gently curving sides rising from a short straight foot to a delicately everted rim. This subtle outward flare of the rim demonstrates a high level of potting precision and adds an element of refinement that elevates it beyond typical utilitarian ceramics.
What is the estimated value and auction information for this bowl? As of the information provided, this Junyao light-blue-glazed bowl is estimated to fetch between £80,000 and £120,000. It is scheduled to be auctioned by Bonhams London on May 15, 2025, at their New Bond Street location, as part of the "INSTINCT & KNOWLEDGE A LIFE IN THE COMPANY OF SONG CERAMICS" sale.
Can you trace the ownership history (provenance) of this Junyao bowl? Yes, the provenance of this bowl is well-documented. It was originally part of the collection of Mr. Alfred Clark (1873-1950) and Mrs. Ivy Clark (1890-1976), bearing their collection label number 624. It was later acquired by the London antique dealer Spink & Son Ltd., and subsequently by Emmanuel Christofides (1928-2020) of Athens and London, who obtained it on June 22, 1977, from Spink & Son.
Where has this Junyao bowl been exhibited or published? This bowl has a significant exhibition and publication history, further attesting to its importance. It has been featured in several notable exhibitions, including: Arts de la Chine Ancienne (Paris, 1937), Sung Dynasty Wares: Chün and Brown Glazes (London, 1952), Ju and Kuan Wares: Imperial Wares of the Sung Dynasty, Related Wares and Derivatives of Later Date (London, 1952), L' Art de la Chine des Song (Paris, 1956), The Arts of the Sung Dynasty (London, 1960), and A Life in the Company of Song Ceramics (London, 2017), where it was published and illustrated.
Are there any comparable examples of this type of Junyao bowl? The provided text mentions a comparable but larger Northern Song Dynasty Junyao bowl (20.3 cm diameter) with a similar everted rim. This larger example was previously in the collection of Rolf Cunliffe, 2nd Baron Cunliffe of Headley, and was sold at Bonhams London on November 11, 2002. It was also illustrated in the publication Collectors, Curators: Connoisseurs: A Century of the Oriental Ceramic Society 1921–2021. This comparison highlights the rarity of the smaller Alfred Clark bowl's specific form.
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