See below references for similar items: Palace Museum, No.
00006247; Beijing Chengxuan, 2009 Autumn Sale, Lot 059.
相似藏品可參閱:故宮博物院館藏,編號故00006247,見圖
一;北京誠軒2009年秋拍,編號059
fig.1
“Arrow vase” is a traditional Chinese ritual and banquet game
that involves a group of people attempting to pitch arrows into an
arrow-form vase from a distance. Arrow vases and its associated
game have been continually used from the pre-Qin period to the
end of the Qing dynasty. This game, also known as pitch-pot,
originated from archery rituals, a composed and courteous activity
that suited the ceremonial needs of the nobility. After the Qin
and Han dynasties, archery rituals were abolished, and pitch-pot
became a new form of entertainment for hosting guests. During
the Song and Yuan dynasties, pitch-pot maintained its popularity
amongst scholars and officials. In the early Ming dynasty, pitchpot became increasingly common and widespread among the
public. However, by the Qing dynasty, the practice of pitch-pot had
gradually declined.
This particular arrow vase was created using the lost-wax casting
method. Its large and imposing presence, with its rough edges
yet exquisitely detailed registers render it full of lively charm. It
features double handles, a slender neck, a bulging shoulder,
and a tall foot ring, which altogether create a unique and striking
silhouette. From top to bottom, the body is covered with chi and
sea wave patterns, and halberd-form protrusions divide the belly
into different sections. The entire body is coated with a thick,
tasteful patina as dense as paste, lustrous and full of ancient
charm. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, pitch-pot is often
the subject matter of paintings, and arrow vases were used as
decorative objects in well-off homes. However practical arrow
vases that have survived to this day are rare. This arrow vase has
a unique style and complex craftsmanship, making it quite unique.
投壺是從先秦延續至清末的中國傳統禮儀和宴飲遊戲。投壺禮來
源於射禮,這種從容安詳、講究禮節的活動,正適合貴族們的禮
儀需求。《左傳》曾記載過晉昭公大宴諸國君主,舉行投壺之戲
的事。秦漢以後廢除了射禮,投壺便成爲一種宴賓的娛樂。宋元
時期,投壺仍在士大夫中盛行。入明之後,投壺隨着社會發展日
益繁盛,普及到大衆。到了清朝,投壺日趨衰落。
此件投壺以範鑄法成型,規格碩大,氣勢磅礴,粗獷中不失精
美,酣暢生動。雙耳製,細長頸,豐肩,高圈足。由上至下,
紋飾分層,雕以螭龍紋和海水壽紋,腹部間隔出戟,通體包漿厚
潤,黑漆古色皮殼密融如膏,潤澤古意,爲好古者最喜之色。明
清時期的繪畫作品中常見投壺活動,還有將投壺放置於室內作爲
陳設器,但實用投壺傳世並不多見,材質通常爲陶瓷和銅。此件
拍品風格獨特,工藝繁複,較爲少見。故宮博物院館藏件《明人
朱瞻基行樂圖捲》(編號-故00006247)描繪的投壺器與本品造
型極爲相似,可資參考。