Mar 29, 2024 © Ulrich Theobald
Yanxian qingshang jian 燕閑清賞箋 (燕閒清賞箋) is a text on the collection, identification (genuine or forgery) and appreciation of antiques and curiosities. It was written during the Ming period 明 (1368-1644) by Gao Lian 高濂 (c. 1600) and constitutes the fifth part of his Zunsheng bajian 遵生八牋.
It explains how to appreciate ancient bronzes, jades, porcelains, stele inscriptions, paintings and zithers, which were typical objects gathered by collectors. Gao also explains how to rate precious types of paper, brushes, ink-stones and other scholarly utensils. This all makes the Yanxian qingshan jian an important reference book for the appraisal of antiquities and collectables.
Figure 1. Ink-stones
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From the Yashangtang 雅尚堂 edition of 1591. |
Sources:
Beijing Dongfang Shoucangjia Xiehui 北京東方收藏家協會, ed. 1996. Zhonghua shoucang da cidian 中華收藏大辭典, 7. Beijing: Beijing Yanshan chubanshe.
He Zhenji 何振紀. 2019. "Mingren dui Zhongguo qiyi shuaitui de fanying: Cong Gao Lian Yanxian qingshang jian de jilu shuoqi 明人對中國漆藝衰退的反應——從高濂《燕閑清賞箋》的記錄說起." Yishuxue yanjiu 藝術學研究 10: 178-188.
Li Zhaoyue 李兆玥. 2022. "Cong Gao Lian Yanxian qingshang jian guan wan-Ming shang xian de meixueguan 從高濂《燕閑清賞箋》觀晚明尚“閑”的美學觀." Zhonghua lishi yu chuantong wenhua luncong 中華歷史與傳統文化論叢 2022: 296-306.
Tao Mingjun 陶明君, ed. 1993. Zhongguo hualun cidian 中國畫論辭典, 303. Changsha: Hunan chubanshe.
Wang Yan 王燕, and Liao Yuanyu 廖媛雨. 2019. "Yanxian qingshang jian yu Mingdai qingtongqi de jiancang 《燕閑清賞箋》與明代青銅器的鑒藏." Zhuangshi 裝飾, 2019 (1): 130-131.
Wu Zhengduo 吳鉦鐸. 2015. "Yanxian qingshang jian yu Mingdai zibenzhuyi mengya guanxi chutan 燕閑清賞箋與明代資本主义萌芽關係初探." Yishu keji 藝術科技 28 (1): 114.
Zhuo Qing 濯清. 2016. "Wan-Ming wenren gu tongqi jiancang zhishi kaocha: Yi Yanxian qingshang jian wei zhongxin de tantao 晚明文人古銅器鑒藏知識考察——以《燕閑清賞箋》為中心的探討." Nandu xuetan 南都學壇 36 (1): 38-40.
