光

武

御

製

光武御製羊脂白玉玉鷹硯滴, 高15cm, 長18cm,1000g。硯滴又稱水滴、書滴，貯存硯水供磨墨之用，《飲流齋說瓷》：「凡作物形而貯水不多則名曰滴。」漢代硯滴多為龜蛇熊羊之形，古樸渾厚。本器羊脂白玉雕琢, 形制為漢代硯滴, 紋飾輪廓以黑彩描繪 . 就整體造型而言, 母鷹背負子鷹,子鷹昂首微微抬頭充滿幸福感, 尾部則庇護著幼年辟邪,辟邪咧嘴呈酣厚狀,母鷹頭部微微後彎,  凝視著子鷹及幼辟邪, 以確信它們安全無疑, 本器之創作主題 將幼吾幼,以及人之幼的偉大情操(老吾老，以及人之老；幼吾幼，以及人之幼。出自《孟子·梁惠王上》),流露無遺. 漢光武帝崇尚儒學, 合理推斷本器之創意發想於光武帝本人, 更符合光武中興之漢光武帝注意民生與民休息之經濟政策精神. 本器造型意境之高,令人讚嘆.左右翅膀各有蟠螭龍環抱,尾部則為商代玄鳥尾巴的造型,凸顯本鷹之尊貴祥瑞, 非比尋常, 胸前有篆體光武御製銘文,表明使用本器之主人正是漢光武帝.本器擴散暈沁色,斑晶,差異風化等古玉跡象明顯.婦好墓的玉貴人一直被稱為柄形器玉貴人, 事實上, 商人自稱為玄鳥之後, 玉貴人背後的所謂柄, 事實上就是玄鳥的尾巴.這個觀點可以從光武御製銘文硯滴玉鷹的尾巴造型得到佐證.值得注意的是, 光武御製銘文的字體風格, 玉器上所呈現的, 不論是本器銘文字體風格與皇宮古玉齋所收藏文鎮, 以及台灣如是齋所收藏兩枚銅壺底部的光武御製銘文的字體風格完全吻合,  這可以十分肯定地說, 此玉鷹硯滴係出自漢光武帝宮廷製玉坊.本玉鷹的尾巴照型與商代玉跪人背後的所謂柄形器相同, 可以確定商代玄鳥之後的說法.

Emperor Kwan-Wu of Eastern Han Dynasty Mutton Fat White Jade Water Container, H. 15cm, L.18cm,  1.0kg.

Identification:

The inscription of “Kwan-Wu-Yu-Zhi(光武御製)” on the chest has identified the original owner of the container which is supposed to be a water container called Yan Di (硯滴) in Chinese (writing brush had been used already before the Eastern Han). In other words, it was made by the order of the first emperor Kwan-Wu of the Eastern Han dynasty about two thousand years ago.  With mastery workmanship, this artifact is made of top quality mutton white jade(see gem lab test result ).  As far as antiquity is concerned, evidence of diffusive marking, deteriorate marking and differential weathering are obvious.

Appreciation:

The container design of the mother carrying a baby on the back has seen in the Western Zhou Dynasty bronze artifacts. The lid of the container has a young eagle carving. Underneath the tail having two branches( having a similar style to that of the bronze bird container ) of the mother eagle protecting a young pixie. The mother eagle is staring backward at both the young eagle and the young pixie to make sure they are nicely taken care of. The noble character of loving not only her own loved one but also the others have fully been expressed. This theme conforms to Emperor Kwan -Wu’s economic policy of paying attention to people’s livelihood, resting with the people. The motif of the dragon is seen on both wings, with the Ruyi ( fulfill of one’s wishes) curly cloud motif on the tail. Both motifs are the symbol of nobleness and luck. Fairly unique among emperors in Chinese history was Emperor Guangwu’s combination of decisiveness and mercy. He often sought out peaceful means rather than bellicose means of putting areas under his control. He was, in particular, one of the rare examples of a founding emperor of a dynasty who did not kill, out of jealousy or paranoia, any of the generals or officials who contributed to his victories after his rule was secure. The main theme of this jade artifact has fully expressed this. Judging from the perfect design made of top quality jade and historic significance, this artifact is no doubt one of the most valuable ones for serious collectors. The object is used as a water container that stores water for the making of ink. The tail of this jade eagle is exactly the same as the structure attached to the back of the Shang Dynasty kneeling statue.

Appraisal Indexes:

1. quality of jade: 10
2. rareness: 10
3. historical and cultural significance: 10
4. workmanship: 10
5. size:10
6. condition: 10

Proverb: Wisdom comes with experience( Hebrew ).