明嘉靖龍缸是明代嘉靖年間（1522年—1566年）景德鎮御窯廠專為宮廷燒制的大型青花瓷缸，因缸體上繪有龍紋而得名。
明嘉靖 青花龍紋大缸 六字楷書橫款
28 5⁄16 in. (72 cm.) diam.
來源
徐展堂舊藏，入藏於1997年
展覽
香港徐氏藝術館
明嘉靖龍缸是明代嘉靖年間（1522年—1566年）景德鎮御窯廠專為宮廷燒制的大型青花瓷缸，因缸體上繪有龍紋而得名。
製作工藝： 龍缸的燒制工藝極為複雜，需多名工匠分段拉坯，制坯約需20天，然後上青花釉。燒制過程耗時費力，需在小火中燒制七天七夜，再在大火中燒制兩天兩夜，成品率極低。
用途： 龍缸主要用於皇宮和朝廷達官貴人處，一是用來養魚觀賞，二是盛水防火。此外，龍缸還被用於皇陵、太廟等皇家祭祀重地。
藝術特色： 嘉靖龍缸以青花回青料繪制，色澤濃艷泛紫，龍紋威猛生動，常見雙龍戲珠、雲龍等圖案。缸體碩大周正，風格敦厚古樸，具有很高的藝術價值。
存世情況： 由於燒制難度大，成品率低，且易損壞，嘉靖龍缸傳世品極為稀少，現存於博物館或私人收藏中，具有重要的歷史和藝術價值。
明嘉靖龍缸是明代瓷器工藝的傑出代表，體現了當時制瓷技術的高超水平和藝術審美的獨特風格。
The Ming Jiajing dragon jar is a large blue-and-white porcelain vessel produced during the Jiajing period (1522–1566) of the Ming Dynasty. Crafted at the imperial kilns in Jingdezhen, these jars are distinguished by their intricate dragon motifs, symbolizing imperial authority.
Production Process: Creating a dragon jar was a complex endeavor. Multiple artisans collaborated to shape the vessel in sections, a process that took approximately 20 days. After applying the blue glaze, the jar underwent a meticulous firing process: seven days and nights at a low temperature, followed by two days and nights at a high temperature. This labor-intensive method resulted in a low yield of successful pieces.
Functions: Primarily used within the imperial palace and by high-ranking officials, dragon jars served both decorative and practical purposes. They were employed for fish keeping and as water reservoirs for fire prevention. Additionally, these jars played roles in royal rituals, being placed in imperial mausoleums and ancestral temples.
Artistic Features: The jars are adorned with cobalt blue designs, exhibiting a rich, purplish hue. The dragon motifs are dynamic and vivid, often depicting scenes like two dragons playing with a pearl or dragons amidst clouds. The substantial and symmetrical form of the jar exudes a robust and ancient aesthetic, underscoring its significant artistic value.
Current Status: Due to the challenges in production and their susceptibility to damage, surviving examples of Jiajing dragon jars are exceedingly rare. Today, they are primarily found in museums or private collections, holding considerable historical and artistic significance.
In summary, the Ming Jiajing dragon jar exemplifies the exceptional porcelain craftsmanship of the Ming Dynasty, reflecting the advanced ceramic techniques and unique artistic sensibilities of the era.
明嘉靖龍缸 蘇格蘭國家博物館藏 / Ming Jiajing Dragon Jar, Scotland National Musuem Collection
徐展堂
徐展堂（1940年12月9日－2010年4月2日），祖籍江蘇宜興，生於江西吉安，9歲時隨家人移居香港。早年家境清貧，曾從事銀行信差、餐館雜工等工作。16歲開始創業，經營餐飲、油漆、招牌製作和裝修等業務。1970年代初，香港經濟低迷，徐展堂抓住機會，大量投資股票和房地產，從而致富。此後，他收購了香港老牌的中華製漆廠、城巴集團和英國倫敦的首都城巴公司，擴展了北海集團的業務版圖。
徐展堂熱衷於中國文物收藏，擁有超過5,000件珍貴藏品，包括陶瓷、青銅器、玉器、家具和牙角器等，總價值估計逾10億港元。1991年，他在香港成立了徐氏藝術館，成為香港首家私人中國藝術博物館，收藏並展示其珍貴藏品。此外，他還向香港文化博物館捐贈了700多件私人珍品，該館特設「徐展堂中國藝術館」以展示這些藏品。
徐展堂亦熱心公益，曾任東華三院主席、香港羽毛球協會主席等職務，並於2001年獲頒金紫荊星章。2010年4月2日，徐展堂在北京逝世，享年69歲。
Tsui Tsin-tong (December 9, 1940 – April 2, 2010) was a prominent Hong Kong businessman, philanthropist, and renowned art collector. Born in Jiangxi, China, he moved to Hong Kong at the age of nine. In his early years, Tsui worked as a bank messenger and restaurant laborer. At 16, he ventured into entrepreneurship, engaging in businesses such as dining, painting, signage production, and renovation. During the economic downturn of the 1970s, he astutely invested in stocks and real estate, amassing significant wealth. Subsequently, he acquired established companies like China Paint Manufacturing Company, Citybus Group, and London's Capital Citybus, expanding the Beihai Group's business portfolio.
Tsui was passionate about Chinese art and amassed a collection of over 5,000 valuable pieces, including ceramics, bronzes, jade, furniture, and ivory carvings, with an estimated value exceeding HK$1 billion. In 1991, he established the Tsui Museum of Art in Hong Kong, the city's first private Chinese art museum, to showcase his extensive collection. Additionally, he donated more than 700 artifacts to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, leading to the creation of the "Tsui Tsin-tong Gallery of Chinese Art" within the museum.
Hong Kong Heritage Museum
Beyond his business and collecting endeavors, Tsui was dedicated to philanthropy. He served as chairman of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and the Hong Kong Badminton Association, among other roles. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star in 2001. Tsui passed away in Beijing on April 2, 2010, at the age of 69.
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