Gui Zhai On Pottery

Author: (Qing) Chen Jieqi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: Chen Jieqi of Fuzhai, a renowned Qing Dynasty numismatist and from Weixian, Shandong, was a leading figure in the discovery, identification, and interpretation of ceramic inscriptions. Historically, collectors of ancient artifacts placed greater emphasis on bronze vessels (ding and yi) rather than ancient pottery. It was uncommon to find ancient pottery placed on bookshelves. Ceramics are older than bronze artifacts, and ceramic inscriptions predate bronze inscriptions. The inscriptions on discarded pottery in the form of shards had never attracted significant attention. Fuzhai's vast collection of bronze and stone artifacts was already famous across the nation. However, in his later years, he suddenly acquired ceramic inscriptions, which he considered an important new discovery in ancient script following bronze inscriptions, coin inscriptions, and ancient seal inscriptions. Overjoyed, he took the names "Qidong Taofu" (Father of Qi Ceramic Inscriptions) and "Youzhou Tao Zheng Hou" (Successor of the Ancient Ceramic Inscriptions of Zhou). He also named his collection "San Dai Gu Tao Xuan" (Three Dynasties Ancient Ceramic Pavilion) and "Bao Kang Hu Shi" (Room of Precious Shards), referencing the phrase "Wang Qi Zhou Ding, Bao Kang Hu Xi" from the "Jia Yi Zhi" and "Diao Quan Fu" by Jia Yi, which vividly reflects his enthusiasm.
The date of Fuzhai's discovery of ceramic inscriptions was initially believed to be the second year of the Guangxu era (1876), based on his personal letters. However, recently, Professor Li Xueqin examined the inscriptions on Fuzhai's hand-painted rubbing and determined the date to be the eleventh year of the Tongzhi era (1872), publishing his findings in Qilu Xuekan. Upon reviewing old records, I also found a handwritten note from the same year, which revealed the discovery of a ceramic shard bearing the seal of Tian Chen, a local resident of the same surname, unearthed from the ruins of the ancient city of Jimo in Qi.