近年來，學界與藏家對中國古代香盒的跨時期、跨材質造型一致性產生了濃厚興趣。哈佛大學藝術博物館收藏的唐代銅香盒，因其獨特的瓜形外觀而備受關注，而這一造型與宋代景德鎮出品的青白瓷瓜形香盒驚人相似。無論是在拍賣市場上出現的南宋青白香盒（例如POLY拍賣會上展出的拍品），還是在大都會藝術博物館館藏中見到的同類型器物，都顯示出這一造型在不同朝代、不同材質間的傳承和再現。
此外，日本的收藏界亦有所斬獲，其中東洋古美術繭山龍泉堂（Mayuyama Ryusendo）和浦上蒼穹堂（Uragami Sokyudo）各自擁有一件或多件與此類香盒造型相近的作品，進一步證明了這種形式不僅在中國本土享有盛譽，同時也為東亞其他地區的收藏家和研究者所青睞。
從歷史與美學角度來看，這種“瓜形”造型可能源自於唐代工藝美學的一種創新嘗試，既具有實用性（如便於放置和攜帶香料、控制香氣散發），又兼具裝飾性和象徵意義。隨著時代的推移，這一造型不僅在材料上從銅器轉變為瓷器，而且在工藝技術和裝飾風格上也有所發展與變化，但其基本形式卻保持著高度的一致性，這表明古代工匠在美學理念和造型語言上的延續與革新。
這一跨時期的造型傳承，不僅反映出中國古代器物設計中對形式美與實用功能的統一追求，同時也顯示了文化交流與審美傳統的延續。從唐代到宋代，再到今日的跨國博物館與拍賣市場，這種香盒形式成為了研究中國藝術史、陶瓷史以及跨文化藝術交流的重要實例。
哈佛大學藝術博物館
1930年12月入藏：邊緣造型、帶蓋香盒
尺寸：7 × 7.4 厘米
保利拍賣
小型青白“瓜形”香盒及蓋子
南宋（1127–1279年）
拍品編號 3083
一對南宋（1127–1279年）小型青白“瓜形”香盒及蓋子
高度：4 厘米
估價：港幣 150,000 至 200,000 元（美元 25,641 至 38,462 元）
成交價：港幣 240,000 元（美元 30,769 元）
來源
十面靈壁山居藏品，編號 BE21
Ben Janssens Oriental Art
展覽及文獻記載
Ben Janssens Oriental Art 曾於 2009 年 3 月 13 日至 3 月 22 日在荷蘭馬斯特里赫特舉辦的歐洲美術博覽會上展出（見第 60–61 頁）。
拍賣會資訊
POLY 拍賣 – 中國陶瓷及藝術品，香港，2021 年 4 月 21 日
繭山龍泉堂 Mayuyama Ryusendo
青白磁瓜型合子
景徳鎮窯
北宋（12世紀）
高 5.1 cm 胴径 7.0 cm
大都會藝術博物館
瓜形盒
朝代：宋代（960–1279年）
尺寸：高度 2 3/4 英吋（7 厘米）；直徑 2 1/4 英吋（5.7 厘米）
資金來源：Fletcher 基金，1927 年
館藏編號：27.119.20a, b
印記底部壓印有“程”字（可能為贊助者的姓氏）及行書簽名
來源Desmond FitzGerald 持有，直到 1927 年（1927 年 4 月 22 日至 23 日於紐約美國藝術協會拍賣會上以拍品編號 22 出售，後由大都會藝術博物館收藏）
In recent years, scholars and collectors have shown growing interest in the remarkable continuity of form across different dynasties and materials in Chinese incense boxes. The Tang dynasty copper incense box housed at the Harvard University Art Museum, noted for its distinctive lobed melon shape, strikingly resembles the blue-white porcelain melon-shaped incense boxes produced in Jingdezhen during the Song dynasty. Whether observed at auction—such as the Southern Song blue-white incense boxes exhibited by POLY Auction—or within the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, these objects demonstrate a persistent design tradition that transcends time and material.
Furthermore, similar pieces have also been acquired in Japan. Institutions like Mayuyama (龍泉堂) and Urakami Soukyu-dou each hold examples of incense boxes with this iconic shape, underscoring that the design is not only celebrated in China but has also garnered significant attention among collectors and researchers throughout East Asia.
From a historical and aesthetic perspective, the “melon” shape likely originated as an innovative aesthetic solution during the Tang dynasty. Its design may have been driven by both practical considerations—such as ease of handling and the controlled diffusion of fragrance—and by a desire for decorative elegance and symbolic meaning. Over time, this form evolved in material—from copper to porcelain—and in technical execution and decorative detail, yet its fundamental shape remained remarkably consistent. This consistency suggests a deep-rooted continuity in aesthetic values and design language among ancient artisans, even as they adapted their techniques to new materials and changing tastes.
This cross-dynastic transmission of form not only reflects the ancient Chinese pursuit of uniting beauty with functionality in object design but also illustrates the enduring legacy of cultural exchange and aesthetic tradition. From the Tang and Song dynasties to today’s international museum collections and auction platforms, these incense boxes serve as a significant example for studying Chinese art history, ceramic evolution, and cross-cultural artistic dialogue.
Harvard University Art Museum
1930.12: Lobed, Covered Incense
7 x 7.4 cm
Auction, POLY
A Pair Of Small Qingbai 'Melon' Boxes And Covers,
Southern Song Dynasty, 1127-1279
Lot 3083. A Pair Of Small Qingbai 'Melon' Boxes And Covers, Southern Song Dynasty, 1127-1279. H 4cm .
Estimate HKD 150,000 - 200,000 (USD 25,641 - 38,462) .
Sold Price: HKD 240,000 (USD 30,769 ) .
Copyright 2021 © Poly Auction Hong Kong Limited
Provenance : 1. The Ten-views Lingbi Rock Retreat Collection, no. BE212. Ben Janssens Oriental Art .
Exhibited and Literature : Ben Janssens Oriental Art at The European Fine Art Fair: Masstricht, Netherlands, March 13 - March 22, 2009, p. 60-61
Poly Auctions . Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, April 21, 2021
Mayuyama Ryusendo
MET Museum
Box in the shape of a melon
Song dynasty (960–1279)
H. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); Diam. 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm)
Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1927
Object Number: 27.119.20a, b
Marking: Impressed mark on the bottom: Cheng (probably the patron's surname) and cursive signature
Provenance: Desmond FitzGerald , until 1927 (sale at American Art Association, New York, April 22–23, 1927, no. 22, to MMA)
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