拍賣筆記 vol.99 佳士得紐約：藍理捷，北宋至金絞胎盌，75600美元售出 - J.J.Lally, A Northern Song to Jin Dynasty Marbled Bowl

「絞胎」技法對陶工而言極富挑戰性，但成品卻能呈現令人矚目的效果。過去人們多認為此類陶器的製作工藝源自中國傳統的剔犀漆器，但最新研究指出，此種技術的靈感更可能來自古代近東地區的絞色玻璃器，類似作品的考古發現甚至遠達阿富汗與朝鮮半島。

顯然，唐代陶工早於八世紀初即已將此技法移植至陶瓷製作中，開創出世界上最早的絞胎陶器。有關此課題的進一步討論，請參見巫鴻所著《質變之土：波士頓美術館藏中國陶瓷》，波士頓，2001年，第39頁。此外，一件略大於此件的同式樣絞胎盌，胎土呈現更多米色調，曾於佳士得紐約2022年3月24-25日拍賣會（編號1093）售出。

Northern Song-Jin Marbled Bowl_ Christie's Auction

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大都會博物館1916年東方部開幕展覽

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北宋/金 絞胎盌

NORTHERN SONG-JIN DYNASTY (AD 960-1234)

成交價：美元 75,600

估價：美元 8,000 – 美元 12,000

拍品終止拍賣: 2023年3月23日

5 1/8 in. (13 cm.) diam., cloth box

來源

藍理捷, 紐約, 編號2925

中國絞胎陶瓷常見問題解答

一、何謂「絞胎」陶瓷？

「絞胎」（jiaotai）陶瓷，又稱「絞泥」，指以兩種或兩種以上不同色調的陶土揉合、扭絞後，再以陶輪成型並燒製而成的獨特陶藝技法。此法產生的紋理獨特而富於變化，猶如大理石紋、木理、水流或雲氣一般，充滿偶然性與生動之美。若運用切割、交織等更精細的加工手法，還可呈現出更複雜多變的紋飾。

二、絞胎陶瓷的歷史起源為何？

過去一般認為絞胎工藝源於中國傳統的剔犀多色漆器技法，但近年學術界傾向認為，其技術淵源更可能來自古代近東地區的絞色玻璃器。類似風格的絞色玻璃在考古發掘中，最西可遠達阿富汗地區，最東則延伸至朝鮮半島。唐代陶工於八世紀初將此種外來的玻璃絞色工藝轉移至陶瓷之上，創造出世界上最早的絞胎陶器。

三、絞胎陶瓷的主要生產年代及朝代？

絞胎陶瓷最早出現在唐代（618-907年），在北宋（960-1127年）達到鼎盛，尤其以當陽峪窯為代表。但自北宋晚期動亂之後，此技術逐漸衰落，至元代（1271-1368年）已徹底消失，成為失傳的古代陶藝技法。

四、絞胎陶瓷的視覺特徵有哪些？

絞胎陶瓷最典型的特徵，是由不同色彩陶土相互交織、揉捏而產生的斑駁紋理。這些紋路通常具有天然、不規則的形態，或如木紋、或似水波、或像石紋或雲霞等自然景觀。值得注意的是，此類紋理並非僅停留於器物表面，而是貫穿陶器胎體內部，因此素有「瓷中君子」之雅稱。

五、為何絞胎陶瓷的製作在技術上具有挑戰性？

絞胎陶瓷的製作之所以難度極高，原因主要有二：首先，製作過程中，不同陶土間的揉合與結合需極為精巧，否則在燒製過程中極易開裂；其次，由於各類陶土的熱膨脹及收縮率不同，燒製時破裂的風險大幅提高，導致完整作品的成功率偏低。如此複雜的工藝，進一步提高了優秀絞胎陶器的稀有性。

六、佳士得拍賣所提及的北宋至金代絞胎盌，其意義何在？

佳士得所售出的北宋至金代絞胎盌，以高價成交，反映此類歷史陶器在藏家間的珍貴性與收藏價值。拍品說明中特別強調其製作技藝之高超，並提到目前學術界針對絞胎技術來源的最新討論。此外，該拍品亦藉由參照另一件此前拍出的相似作品，進一步強調此類陶器的稀有性與重要的歷史地位。

七、何處可查閱更多有關中國早期絞胎陶瓷的學術討論？

佳士得拍賣目錄特別推薦閱讀巫鴻所著的《質變之土：波士頓美術館藏中國陶瓷》（Earth Transformed: Chinese Ceramics in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston，2001年版），尤其是該書第39頁，對中國早期絞胎陶瓷的發展有詳盡深入的學術討論。

八、此次拍賣的北宋至金代絞胎盌之成交價格，與估價之間的差異代表何種意義？

該件北宋至金代絞胎盌以75,600美元成交，遠高於拍前估價（8,000 – 12,000美元）。此一顯著差距反映出此類絞胎陶器的稀有性、良好保存狀態、卓越的歷史意涵與藝術價值，引發藏家強烈的競價熱情。同時，也印證了優秀絞胎陶瓷在收藏市場上的實際價格經常大幅超越拍賣前的預期。

絕版威尼斯1954中國藝術大展圖錄：MOSTRA D'ARTE CINESE 1954

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A MARBLED BOWL

NORTHERN SONG-JIN DYNASTY (AD 960-1234)

Price realised

USD 75,600

Estimate

USD 8,000 – USD 12,000

Closed: 

23 Mar 2023

As noted in the catalogue note for lot 837, the technique employed for 'marbled' or jiaotai wares was challenging for potters, but achieved striking results. It is also interesting to note that although formerly thought to be derived from the tixi multi-colored lacquer tradition, recent scholarship finds the inspiration to have more likely come from marbelized glasswares of the ancient Near East. Such pieces have been found in excavations as far as Afghanistan and Korea.

Evidentally Tang potters of the early 8th century adapted this technique to pottery, creating the world's earliest form of marbelized ceramics. For further discussion, refer to Wu Tung, Earth Transformed: Chinese Ceramics in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 2001, p. 39. A slightly larger bowl of similar shape and pattern, with the cream-tone clay more prominent, was sold at Christie's New York, 24-25 March 2022, lot 1093.

Frequently Asked Questions on Marbled (Jiaotai) Ceramics

1. What is "jiaotai" or marbled ware in ceramics? "Jiaotai," often translated as marbled ware, is a distinctive ceramic technique that involves combining two or more differently colored clay bodies. These clays are kneaded, twisted, or manipulated together before being shaped on a wheel and fired. This process results in wares with striking, often unpredictable patterns resembling marble, wood grain, flowing water, or clouds. More intricate designs can be achieved through cutting and weaving techniques.

2. What is the historical origin of jiaotai ceramics? While it was previously believed that the jiaotai technique originated from the Chinese tradition of carved polychrome lacquerware (tixi), recent scholarship suggests a stronger influence from the marbled glassware of the ancient Near East. Archaeological discoveries of similar marbled glass have been found as far west as Afghanistan and as far east as the Korean Peninsula. Tang Dynasty potters in China were the first to adapt this concept to ceramics, creating the earliest known examples of marbled pottery by the early 8th century.

3. During which Chinese dynasties was jiaotai pottery primarily produced? Jiaotai ceramics first appeared during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). The technique flourished and reached its peak during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127 AD), particularly at the Dangyangyu kiln. However, production significantly declined after the turmoil of the late Northern Song and had disappeared entirely by the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 AD), with the technique being lost.

4. What are the characteristic visual features of jiaotai wares? The defining characteristic of jiaotai ceramics is their marbled or variegated surface patterns created by the intermingled clays. These patterns are typically irregular and naturalistic, often resembling wood grain, water ripples, stone-like textures, or cloud formations. Importantly, the pattern is not just on the surface but runs through the entire ceramic body, a quality for which it earned the reputation of a "gentleman among ceramics" (瓷中君子).

5. What made the production of jiaotai ceramics technically challenging? Creating jiaotai wares was a demanding process for potters for several reasons. Firstly, the manipulation and joining of different clay bodies required skill to ensure they bonded properly without cracking during firing. Secondly, because different clays can have varying rates of expansion and contraction in the kiln, there was a higher risk of the ceramic piece fracturing. The complexity of the process contributed to a lower overall success rate in producing intact jiaotai pieces.

6. What is the significance of the Northern Song-Jin Dynasty marbled bowl mentioned in the Christie's auction excerpt? The Northern Song-Jin Dynasty marbled bowl sold at Christie's for a significant price demonstrates the continued desirability and value placed on these historical ceramics by collectors. The auction note highlights the technical skill involved in its creation and references the ongoing scholarly discussion about the origins of the jiaotai technique. It also points to the rarity and historical importance of such pieces by mentioning a similar example sold previously.

7. Where can one find further scholarly discussion on early Chinese marbled ceramics? The Christie's auction note recommends referring to Wu Tung's book, "Earth Transformed: Chinese Ceramics in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston" (2001), specifically page 39, for a more in-depth discussion on the early development of marbled ceramics in China.

8. How does the value of the auctioned Northern Song-Jin marbled bowl relate to its estimated price? The Northern Song-Jin marbled bowl sold for USD 75,600, significantly exceeding its pre-auction estimate of USD 8,000 – USD 12,000. This substantial difference indicates strong interest and competitive bidding for the piece, likely driven by its rarity, condition, historical significance, and aesthetic appeal. It also suggests that the market value for such exceptional examples of jiaotai ware can far surpass initial expectations.