COLLECTING GUIDE The scholar’s table EXILED CONTEMPLATION During times of political strife or changes in power, certain officials were forced to retire from court life and seek refuge in the countryside where they were able to pursue artistic pursuits often influenced by nature. The romantic ideal of the artistic scholar lived on to the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1644 and 16441911 respectively) a period when fewer court officials were exiled. In emulation of their predecessors, the literati class built studios surrounded by gardens in the cities and suburbs of the major court centres. These studios were filled with painting and calligraphy tools, furniture, musical instruments, implements for preparing and consuming tea and wine, and antiques. Many surviving examples of these works of art from the Ming and Qing dynasties were carried out in precious materials, such as lacquer, cloisonné, giltbronze, and the precious woods zitan and huanghuali.
Hot desks
The scholar’s desk has been celebrated in China for 2,000 years. Asian Art specialist Lazarus Halstead reveals why it remains a collector’s favourite
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tems that would once have graced the desk of the Chinese literati artist or scholar continue to exert a hold on collectors of Asian art. And for good reason. Such pieces are well suited to collecting. Created to sit on a desk they are on a scale which makes them easy to store, handle and enjoy. Their practical and artistic function means they also appeal to artists and creative people. But scholar’s objects always balance between two competing attributes: their practical function and their aesthetic value. In the very best scholarly objects these two considerations are often being beautifully and ingeniously aligned.
SCHOLAR IN HISTORY The history of the scholar in China dates back to the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties. The Tang dynasty created a system of local schools where scholars could pursue their studies. Those desiring to enter the upper levels of the bureaucracy then competed in the jinshi exams, which tested a candidate’s knowledge of the Confucian classics, as well as history, proficiency in compiling official documents, and inscriptions and music. This nonhereditary elite would eventually become known in the West as “mandarins,” refering to the dialect of Chinese they employed.
40 ANTIQUE COLLECTING
Above Detail from a painting attributed to Xu Yi (1599 -1669) showing a scholar’s desk with a a painting, waterpot and spoon, inkstone, brush rest, candlestick, brush pot and handled cup. It sold for £1,250 in 2018, all images, unless otherwise stated, courtesy of Chiswick Auctions
