Exploring Ding Kiln's Diverse Charms: A Complete Guide to Appreciation

Exploring Ding Kiln’s Diverse Charms: A Complete Guide to Appreciation
探索定窯的多樣魅力：定窯鑑賞全解析

Among the five great kilns of the Song Dynasty, Ding Kiln stands out with its unique white porcelain techniques. Furthermore, Ding Kiln artisans innovatively produced rare varieties as black as lacquer and purple as ripe grapes—such as Hei Ding (black Ding) and Zi Ding (purple Ding)—whose colors and textures rank among the finest in porcelain history.
宋代五大名窯中，定窯以其獨特的白瓷燒造技藝脫穎而出。此外，定窯工匠們還創新地燒製出黑如漆、紫如熟葡萄的珍稀品種，如黑定和紫定，其色澤與質地堪稱瓷器中的佼佼者。

Shao Bowen’s Record of Things Seen and Heard from the Song Dynasty documents an interesting anecdote about Dingzhou red porcelain: Emperor Renzong once encountered this red porcelain and, upon learning it was presented by Wang Gongchen, broke it in anger yet admiration. Su Dongpo described its beauty in Ode to Ding Porcelain as “Dingzhou floral porcelain carved from red jade.” However, Dingzhou red porcelain remains extremely rare, still an unsolved mystery in ceramics.
在宋人邵伯溫的《聞見錄》中，曾記載了一件關於定州紅瓷的趣事：仁宗皇帝在一次偶然的機會中見到了定州紅瓷，詢問其來源，得知是王拱宸所獻，雖怒卻也因珍愛而碎之。蘇東坡在《詠定瓷》中更是以「定州花瓷琢紅玉」來形容其美麗與珍貴。然而，定州紅瓷傳世品稀少，至今仍為陶瓷界的未解之謎。

Meanwhile, Zhou Mi’s Miscellaneous Records of Zhiya Hall describes the unique technique for creating gold-decorated Ding bowls: using garlic juice to mix gold for painting before kiln-firing, making the decoration permanent. This exquisite craftsmanship undoubtedly adds to Ding Kiln’s allure. The Purple Ding Gold Bowl preserved at Tokyo National Museum remains exceptionally rare, truly a treasure among Ding Kiln works.
另一方面，宋人周密在《志雅堂雜鈔》中記載了金花定碗的獨特製作工藝，即用大蒜汁調金進行描畫，再入窯燒製，永不得脫。這種精湛的工藝與藝術價值無疑為定窯增添了更多魅力。現存於日本東京國立博物館的紫定金彩盞更是稀有珍貴，其存世罕見，無疑成為了定窯鑑賞中的珍品。

Notable Ding Kiln Masterpieces

定窯代表性珍品賞析

1. “Official Mark” Lobed Rim with Waisted Plate

一、「官字款」花口折腰盤

This piece captivates collectors with its unique floral rim design and elegant waist shaping. The “Official Mark” indicates its imperial background and superb craftsmanship, making it both a functional item and artistic masterpiece.
這款瓷器以其別具一格的花口設計與折腰造型相得益彰。而「官字款」則象徵其官方背景與精湛燒造技藝，不僅是實用器皿更是藝術珍品。

2. “Official Mark” Five-Lobed Cup

二、「官字款」五葉形盞

Featuring an innovative five-lobed form contrasting with traditional cup shapes, this piece demonstrates Ding Kiln’s creative artistry. The official mark confirms its prestigious origin and technical excellence.
其五葉形設計新穎別致，與傳統盞形形成鮮明對比。「官字款」進一步證明其不凡出身與精湛技藝，展現了定窯匠人的巧思妙想。

3. David Foundation’s Late Tang Three-Lobed Cup

三、大威德基金會藏晚唐定窯三葉形盞

This exceptional piece showcases the kiln’s early innovation with its three-lobed design, serving as both artistic treasure and historical witness to late Tang prosperity.
這件珍品以其三葉造型體現了定窯早期創新，既是珍貴藝術品，也見證了晚唐時期的繁榮與輝煌。

Evolution Through Dynasties

歷史演變與工藝發展

1. Five Dynasties Period

一、五代時期

The lobed rim cups and begonia-shaped cups in Hangzhou Historical Museum represent this transitional period’s refined aesthetics and technical achievements, blending natural inspiration with daily utensils.
杭州歷史博物館藏官字款花口盞與海棠杯體現了五代時期的精湛工藝與獨特審美，將自然之美融入日常器皿。

2. Northern Song Innovations

二、北宋工藝創新

Carving and Incising Techniques
刻花與劃花工藝

The dragon-head vase in Dingzhou Museum demonstrates exquisite carving with flowing incised patterns
定州博物館龍首大淨瓶展現精細雕刻與流暢劃紋
Beijing Palace Museum’s carved plum vase displays intricate scenes of daily life
北京故宮刻劃花大梅瓶呈現生動的生活場景

Molding and Stamping Techniques
貼塑與印花工藝

Taipei Palace Museum’s child-shaped pillow combines comfort with artistic beauty
台北故宮孩兒枕融合舒適感與藝術美
Dingzhou Museum’s four-figures-lifting-sedan piece shows narrative artistry
定州博物館四人抬轎展現故事性藝術

Cut-glaze Technique
剔花工藝

Freer Gallery’s short-belly bottle reveals sophisticated design understanding
佛利爾沙克樂博物館剔花矮腹瓶展現設計巧思
Metropolitan Museum’s cut-glaze plum vase exemplifies technical mastery
大都會博物館剔花梅瓶體現技術巔峰

Color Glaze Achievements

顏色釉成就

1. Purple Ding (Zi Ding)

一、紫定

Tokyo National Museum’s purple-gold tea bowl: rare color combination
東京國立博物館紫定金花茶盞：稀有釉色組合
Metropolitan Museum’s purple plum vase: deep mysterious hue
大都會博物館紫定梅瓶：深邃神秘色調
Shanghai Museum’s purple cup stand: exquisite craftsmanship
上海博物館紫定盞托：精妙工藝

2. Black Ding (Hei Ding)

二、黑定

MOA Museum’s black-gold-silver tea bowl: luxurious decoration
MOA美術館黑定金銀彩茶盞：華麗裝飾
David Foundation’s black tea bowl: sophisticated simplicity
大威德基金會黑定茶盞：典雅簡約

3. Special White Porcelain

三、特殊白瓷

Shanghai Museum’s white porcelain “Longevity Wine” cup, dating from Song-Jin period, represents the peak of Ding Kiln’s colored porcelain achievements.
上海博物館定窯白瓷刻花「長壽酒」文字盞，年代可追溯至宋金時期，代表定窯彩瓷製作巔峰。

Collecting Insights

收藏要點

Rarity Factor: Purple and black Ding wares are exceptionally scarce
稀有度：紫定與黑定傳世極少
Technical Innovation: Gold decoration using garlic juice was revolutionary
工藝創新：蒜汁調金技術具開創性
Historical Value: Official marks indicate imperial patronage
歷史價值：官字款標識宮廷背景
Artistic Merit: Combination of form and decoration represents Song aesthetics
藝術價值：造型與紋飾結合體現宋代美學

From 探索定窑的多样魅力：定窑鉴赏全解析

Exploring Ding Kiln’s Diverse Charms: A Complete Guide to Appreciation