對石灣陶收藏的理性思考

——讀《窯仙慶聚》有感

馮素閣*

香港大學美術博物館與國際石灣陶藝會聯合出版的《窯仙慶聚》專著，2005年初送到我的手上，我愛不釋手的一口氣看完，後來又反復的細讀了每一篇文章，感受頗深，這是一部關注廣東石灣陶研究、收藏等諸多內容並能做出有系統研究的新作。特別令我有感觸的是全書內容豐富，圖版之多，質量之高，圖文並茂，出書的方方面面考慮的如此周全、細緻，為了更詳盡的展示石灣陶塑藝術，特附CDR光盤，使照片的每一個角度都清楚的展現出來，並且把有款識的名家、店號等都突出表現。可以說該書費盡了不少有關人士的心血，是所有審選、籌備、和編輯委員會的共同成果。

國際石灣陶藝會於2002年在香港成立，會員不乏對石灣古今陶藝極之”發燒”者，自然藏品不少，遂有作會員藏品展覽之想，能否實現，問教於香港大學美術博物館，該館領導亦表贊同，遂有聯合舉辨展覽之盛舉。

 "窯仙慶聚”本是這次石灣陶藝藏品展覽的名稱，展品163件於2004年11月至2005年3月間，在香港大學美術博物館馮平山樓內展出，《窯仙慶聚》則是這次展覽的展品目錄。

    本書有幾個特點，是編者力求要達到的：

一．   圖片中展品釉色非常接近原件；除少部份體積較大的展品，圖中展品大小同原件相近，(這也是本書開本特大的原因)，令讀者見圖如見展品。

二．   每件展品均拍下前、後、特寫 (細部)及款識，一併製成CDR光盤附於書內，方便讀者對每件展品得窺全豹。

三．   文章各有中心，言之有物，對研究石灣陶藝人士提供有益的參考。

四．   附錄石灣藝人名號、店號、歷史年表及釉色排比等，都較詳盡，系统排列，亦具參考價值。

全書內容分四個方面，首先清楚的展現出20世紀初石灣古窯分佈圖，通過圖示，可以感受到古窯址的繁榮景象，然後是展品目錄及圖版，這是最主要部份，大量精美的圖版，有人物、鳥獸、藝術器皿及微雕山公等，其中絕大部份都是1950年前作品，大多未曾展出過，亦未見諸其他圖冊內，感覺很新鮮。

文章方面，共有七篇，頗堪推介。

首篇是美國著名學者，父、女兩代人從事研究我國石灣陶藝術的施麗姬女士撰文，全面論述石灣陶藝，一個外國人，受父輩的薰陶，一直到她研究廣東石灣陶如此之深，文章撰寫非常有研究水平，這不能不說是我們廣東石灣陶藝術研究的驕傲。 

劉澤棉大師的《劉佐朝陶塑藝術鑒賞》，這是我所知對有歷史地位的石灣陶塑藝人及其藝術創作，作出少有的，毫無保留的，細緻而系統的評介，對鑒藏石灣陶塑藝術很有指導作用。

廖洪標大師的《”黄炳鴨”淺議》，同樣是對有歷史地位的石灣陶塑藝人作品的藝術表現手法，詳加縷述，指導鑒賞。

《石灣窯三件有款陶器的釋光定年》一文，是香港大學地球科學系李盛華博士利用該系實驗室的釋光定年技術，選取了三件不同款識展品測試，本文是李博士把測試結果說明，為南石堂陶器提供了具科學性的斷代参考，也可說是釋光定年技術在測試石灣陶器的一點點突破吧。

劉孟涵先生的《石灣窯”仿舒”淺探》，是對石灣陶藝其中一支的專題論述，旁徵博引，不失為有關”仿舒”陶藝研究的重要参考。

有關石灣陶藝的專家論著頗多，惟對保存文物功不可況的收藏者，都鮮有提及，《石灣陶瓷鑒藏家 – 商承祚教授》一文，是國際石灣陶藝會名譽顧問韓于西先生憶述前輩鑒藏家的軼事，希望通過前人的努力和貢献，啓發現代鑒藏家思考和借鏡。

石灣窯的釉彩，千姿百態，顏色斕而璞實，是石灣陶藝一大特色。何熾垣先生窮數十年研究石灣陶藝，尤喜愛釉彩，於《石灣窯釉彩》一文，對釉色分類和特色，如數家珍，至於配料、窯火、和窯變等更津津樂道。

《窯仙慶聚》一書，從體系上看，其構架嚴謹，而且自成系統，不僅注重了一部學術著作所應有的理論性，而且實踐指導性強，特別值得一提的是，全書所附的圖片不僅精美，而且有些是首次公佈和發表，具有較高的科研價值和觀賞性。因此，該書既可以作為古陶瓷愛好者、特別是石灣陶收藏家的自學參考書，也是一部頗具亮點的學術專著，值得廣大文物愛好者和博物館研究石灣陶的專業人員參考。

 *註： 馮素閣   廣東省博物館副研究員  

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“Gathering of Earthly Gods” Shiwan Wares from the Collections of the International Shiwan Ceramics Association

A Book /Pictorial Review by Feng Su Ge

Vice Professor, Guangdong Provincial Museum

A copy of “Gathering of Earthly Gods” jointly presented by the University Museum and Art Gallery (The University of Hong Kong) and the International Shiwan Ceramics Association was delivered to me earlier this year (2005). I wasted no time to read through the book /pictorial and studied each and every article included thereof. This is a systematic research on Shiwan Wares and a valuable resource to most collectors. What impressed me most are its comprehensiveness, the number and quality of catalogue entries / plates, the articles and the appendices. To ensure the characteristics of each catalogue entries are carefully presented and articulated, in additional to the plate and description in the book / pictorial, an attached CDR captured the marking /seal, if any, on each individual item and perspectives at different angel. Credit must be given to the tireless and meticulous effort of the members of the Selection Committee, the Organizing and Editorial committee in making this a reality.

The International Shiwan Ceramics Association (ISCA) was established on 2002 in Hong Kong by a group of seasoned Shiwan ware enthusiasts. Naturally, its members had amassed a prized collection of Shiwan ware. In the hope of showing the splendor of Shiwan ware and enhancing the connoisseurship and interest of its member, as well as setting an example for other art lovers to follow, ISCA explored the idea of conducting an exhibition in the Fung Ping Shan Building with the University Museum and Art Gallery (The University of Hong Kong). This was well received and supported by the Museum and its staff, thus making the exhibition a possibility and guaranteed its success.  

“Gathering of Earthly Gods” was the name of this exhibition in which 163 items were displayed in Fung Ping Shan Building from November 2004 to March 2005. A book /pictorial bearing the same name also served as catalogue for the same exhibition.

 There are a few features of this book /pictorial worth mentioning:

 1)      The colour and seize of the catalogue entries / plates are much closer to the original exhibits other than a few over seized items. In short, the colour plates resembled what one would expect with the original items in front. This explains why the book / pictorial are over seized.

2)      Perspectives from different directions and marking /seal, if any, captured in a CDR attached.

3)      There are different articles addressing different facets of Shiwan Art and its appreciation, a useful resource to enthusiasts.

4)      The Appendices include systematic listing of Shiwan Artist and Workshops, Major Shiwan Glaze Colour and Chronology of Shiwan, all valuable reference.

The book / pictorial can be divided into four distinct parts. The Readers are first introduced to “Ancient Shiwan Kiln Sites in the Early Twentieth Century” and should appreciate how prosperous Shiwan was less than a century ago. The most import part followed with catalogue entries / plates from the Exhibition. Catalogue entries are classified into figures, birds and animals, artistic utensils and miniatures. Most of the entries are dated prior to 1950 and have never been published or exhibited, providing a very refreshing feeling.

The seven articles then after each deserve a separate caption.

The first article “Thoughts of Benevolence : Appreciation of Shekwan II” was written by Fredrikke Skinsnes-Scollard”. This is a comprehensive, deep and inspiring article on Shiwan Art and philosophy on appreciation this art form. Dr. Scollard, a second generation of distinguish “foreign” scholar /expert is indeed a pride of those engaged in the studying and researching of Shiwan Art.

Master Liu Zemian “Appreciation of the Ceramic Art of Liu Zuochao” is one of the few articles I know that provided an unreserved, detail and systematic critique on works of an old and respected Master. This is a road map for those learn to appreciate and an inspiration for those appreciates the unique elegance and everlasting charm of this old Master and the strong folk flavour of Shiwan Art.

Master Liao Hongbiao “A Brief Introduction to Huang Bing Ducks” is another article that elevates our understanding of another old Master and appreciates his work of art.

“Luminescence Dating of Three Pieces of Shiwan Ware with Seal Marks” by Dr. Li Shenghua, Associate Professor of the Department of Earth Science, the University of Hong Kong demonstrated that scientific methods could be used to date pottery ware with mark of “Nanshi Tang”. This is a first and a break through for luminescence dating. 

Mr. Liu Maengham “Preliminary Investigation of Shiwan Ware in Imitation of Shu Kiln” represents an enlightening viewpoint on a group of Shiwan Ware and its characteristics. No doubt, this is an important reference for Shiwan “imitation of Shu Kiln”.

Many monographs and treaties have been written on different aspects of Shiwan Ware. However, the collectors who have contributed greatly to the preservation of cultural relics have seldom been mentioned. Mr. Han Yuxi, (Hon nary Advisor of ISCA), “Professor Sheng Chengzuo, Connoisseur and Collector of Shiwan Ceramics” records his anecdotes about the late Professor, in the hope of setting a good example for modern connoisseur and collector to follow.

Shiwan glaze colours are characterized by their brilliant, down-to-earth, muddy yet thick tints in great varieties. Mr. He Chiyuan with tens of years in studying Shiwan Ware especially in glaze colour introduces the Reader in “Shiwan Colour Glaze” to different type of glaze, its composition, different type of flame and furnace transmutation.

“Gathering of Earthly Gods” is a well structured and systematic book /pictorial. It encompasses the theoretical aspect of an academic text as well as the practicality of a reference source. The catalogue entries and colour plates are remarkable and since most were never exhibited or publish before are valuable for appreciation of Shiwan Ware and further research. Therefore, it can be used by ceramics enthusiasts especially connoisseur and collector of Shiwan Ware as reference book /pictorial. The theoretical and academic text may also be appealing to the serious readers which includes students and lovers of Chinese cultural relics and professional or researchers in Shiwan Ware like those in a museum.

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