金至元 鈞窰天藍釉紫斑沖天耳三足爐

well potted with a compressed globular body rising to a constricted neck and wide everted mouth, the bulbous body applied with a pair of mythical beast masks, alternating with a pair of high rectangular arch-handles modelled as human figures with rudimentary outlines, the neck decorated with two anthropoid motifs echoing the handles and interrupted by small florets, all supported on three cabriole legs, applied with an unctuous opaque milky-blue glaze liberally decorated with splashes of variegated purple, the glaze draining to a pale mushroom tone at the edges and extremities and stopping short of the tips of the legs showcasing the pink-tinged grey body

安思遠，紐約，1990年以前入藏

《博古存珍：敏求精舍金禧紀念展》，香港藝術館，香港，2010-11年，編號110

The incense burnerr is in very good condition with the exception of small rim flakes, the largest measuring 0.8cm wide. There is also a 1cm detached flake to the unglazed tip of the foot. There is characteristic minor crazing to the glaze and some firing imperfections.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

此鈞窰三足爐釉色渾厚光亮，乃同類器中佳品。鈞窰即河南禹州鈞台窰，古時稱鈞州，鈞窰瓷器以其釉厚色濃為特點，釉色淺有天藍，深則有如孔雀藍者。十二世紀初，陶工開始於燒製前在釉面加入少許紫紅色銅料，以致原有乳藍色釉面上呈現紫斑，為原有鈞釉更添一抹豔麗，揮灑自如，見書法風範，深為當時文人權貴所喜。

此類器形、飾模印花紋者，根據考古發掘，一般斷為元代之物。參考內蒙古呼和浩特出土相類鈞窰爐，較此更大，據銘紀年己酉（1309年），錄於《世界陶瓷全集》，卷13，東京，1981年，彩圖版103。

可比較一類例，紫斑較少，錄於《內蒙古集甯路古城遺址出土瓷器》，北京，2004年，圖版89。另有一例，屬 George Eumorfopoulos 及 Montague Meyer 遞藏，先後售於倫敦佳士得1980年4月14日，編號250，及香港蘇富比1997年4月29日，編號508。還有兩例，其一乃 E. Bennett 夫人舊藏，售於倫敦蘇富比1955年5月24日，編號 148，另一曾屬 W.W. Winkworth 雅藏，售於倫敦蘇富比1972年9月12日，編號31。又有一尺寸較小之爐，售於香港蘇富比1976年11月29日，編號434，收錄在《敏求精舍展覽：中國陶瓷雅集》，香港藝術館，香港，1980年，編號36。上海博物館藏一較大之爐，錄於《中國陶瓷全集》，上海，2000年，圖版207。《海內外徐展堂中國藝術館藏品選萃》中還載一例，香港，1996年，圖版28，售於紐約佳士得1999年4月22日，編號260。