這只小巧而優雅的香爐體現了宋代的古風品味和極簡設計感。圓柱形的造型源自於漢代（公元前206年至公元220年）常見的大型青銅酒器。宋代的設計師將其縮小，以適應作為香爐的新用途。
這一古風形式的再創作，使得這件器物更加適合文人桌上的日常使用。與商周青銅器上常見的繁複裝飾不同，這件香爐採用了戰漢開始流行的弦紋裝飾，這種裝飾在佛教中的香寶子等容器身上均有延續使用。
南宋青銅弦紋爐
宋代（960–1279年）
大都會博物館藏
來源：藍理捷2007-2018年購於香港，隨後售予大都會博物館
[ J. J. Lally & Co. , New York, purchased in Hong Kong, 2007–2018; sold to MMA]
尺寸：高 2 3/4 英寸（7 cm）；直徑 4 1/8 英寸（10.5 cm）
資金來源：亞洲藝術之友贈款購得，2018年
物品編號：2018.859
展覽資訊：
紐約，大都會藝術博物館。 "擁抱色彩：中國裝飾藝術中的琺瑯，1300–1900"，2022年7月2日至2025年2月16日。
紐約，大都會藝術博物館。 "重塑過去：中國青銅藝術，1100–1900"，2025年2月27日至2025年9月28日。
上海博物館。 "重塑過去：中國青銅藝術，1100–1900"，2025年11月11日至2026年3月16日。
在宋代，香文化在帝王和文人之間相當流行。焚香不僅是一種日常生活的習慣，還承載著深厚的文化意涵。對於帝王而言，焚香有著淨化空間、舒緩壓力、達到心靈平靜的作用，這也與儒家、道家和佛教思想的融合有關。而對文人來說，焚香更是表現修養、靜心、創作的一種方式。
宋徽宗的《聽琴圖》便展現了焚香的風雅畫面，畫中琴音與香氣交織，營造出一種理想的文人生活場景。這幅畫不僅展示了宋代文人的雅致生活，也顯示出香文化在文人間的普及。焚香，對他們而言，是一種提升精神境界的儀式，香爐作為文人書房中的必備器物，無疑是一個重要的象徵。
香的使用不僅限於家庭或宮廷，在許多文人畫作和書法作品中，我們可以看到香爐與書桌、琴台並列，成為文人日常生活的一部分。這些文化背景為宋代的香爐設計提供了深刻的思想根基，並且影響了當時青銅香爐、瓷器香爐等器物的製作。
Incense Burner
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Background of Fragrance Culture in the Song Dynasty
In the Song dynasty, the culture of incense burning was quite popular among both emperors and scholars. Burning incense was not only a daily habit but also carried deep cultural significance. For the emperor, incense was believed to purify the space, alleviate stress, and promote inner peace, reflecting the integration of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. For scholars, incense burning became a way to cultivate their character, quiet the mind, and enhance creativity.
The "Listening to the Qin" painting by Emperor Huizong of Song vividly depicts the scene of incense burning alongside music, creating an idealized vision of scholarly life. This painting not only showcases the refined life of Song dynasty scholars but also demonstrates the widespread use of incense culture among the literati. For them, burning incense was a ritual to elevate their spiritual realm, and incense burners were an essential object in their study rooms.
The use of incense was not confined to private homes or imperial courts. Many literati paintings and calligraphy works show incense burners placed alongside desks and qin tables, symbolizing the daily life of scholars. This cultural context provided a profound foundation for the design of Song dynasty incense burners and influenced the creation of bronze and porcelain incense burners during the period.
This small but elegant incense burner embodies both the antiquarian taste and minimalist design sensibility of the Song dynasty. The cylindrical form is based on larger-scale bronze wine containers widely used in the Han dynasty (206 BC to AD 220). The Song designer made this smaller version to accommodate its new function as an incense burner. This reinterpretation of an archaic form made this vessel better suited for personal use on a scholar’s table. The elaborate decoration often found on archaic bronzes was also discarded in favor of horizontal bands. This treatment not only adds visual simplicity, but also enhances handling pleasure. Furthermore, this design reflects a similar taste in contemporary ceramics.
Title: Incense burner
Period: Song dynasty (960–1279)
Date: 12th–13th century
Culture: China
Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: H. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); Diam. 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm)
Classification: Metalwork
Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, 2018
Object Number: 2018.859
[ J. J. Lally & Co. , New York, purchased in Hong Kong, 2007–2018; sold to MMA]
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Embracing Color: Enamel in Chinese Decorative Arts, 1300–1900," July 2, 2022–February 16, 2025.
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Recasting the Past: The Art of Chinese Bronzes, 1100–1900," February 27, 2025–September 28, 2025.
Shanghai Museum. "Recasting the Past: The Art of Chinese Bronzes, 1100–1900," November 11, 2025–March 16, 2026.
Comments