Jia Wenzhong talked about copper ink cartridges, and first introduced the book The Art of Copper Engraving to collectors. Jia Wenzhong said that a few days ago, he received the publication Bronze Engraving Art edited by his good friend Mr. Zhou Jilie. Although the book was small, it attracted me very much. After reading it, he was impressed by Zhou Xiong's spirit of studying copper engraving art.
Jia Wenzhong was born in a family of cultural relics restoration, and he has been dealing with bronzes all day. In recent two years, the number of people asking for identification of ink cartridges has also increased. Here, he also talks about his understanding of engraved copper ink cartridges: copper ink cartridges belong to traditional stationery, which was popular in the middle and late Qing Dynasty. According to "An Occasional Smell of Heaven and Zhi", it is recorded that "ink cartridges are popular, and the inkstone is cheap, and the old pits in the Song Dynasty are not more than ten gold, and Jia people never know them." With the advantages of being light and handy, and keeping the ink smooth and black, the copper ink box once surpassed the inkstone to become a necessary thing for business offices, private schools and literati desks at that time. In recent years, due to the auction of Sotheby's in Hong Kong in the spring of 23, the valuation of a six-edged temperature ink box with a royal copper tire and a picture of a bird was as high as HK$ 2, to HK$ 5,, which triggered a craze for collecting copper ink boxes.
Jia Wenzhong said that the art of copper engraving in China was produced in the Shang and Zhou Dynasties, but only the copper engraving ink box reached its peak from the middle of Qing Dynasty to the early Republic of China for thousands of years. Its production integrates various artistic expressions such as texture, workmanship, modeling, engraving, poetry, calligraphy, painting, seal, seal cutting and decorative patterns, and it has been fully displayed on copper ink boxes, and has also become an important collection category of Chinese antiques. Attention should be paid to the following points in the collection of copper-engraved ink cartridges:
First, the collection of copper-engraved ink cartridges depends on the sculptor: the artistic expression of ink cartridges is mainly engraved in yin, yang and double hook lines, and the techniques of flat carving, bamboo carving and seal cutting are absorbed in the process. The engraved themes mostly appear in the form of calligraphy, painting and printing, and paintings, calligraphy and patterns are all engraved on the ink cartridges. Artists regard copper as paper, using knives instead of pens, or using the technique of leaving bamboo carvings, or using photographic corrosion methods, which are varied. If you carve deeply, you will get three points. Imitation stone carving, wood carving and brick carving; Shallow as hair? Imitating the jade carving hairspring in Han Dynasty, the ink box is so exquisitely carved and full of flowers.
Second, famous artists and famous works: The famous artists who carved copper ink boxes were Chen Yinsheng, Han Zigu, Zhu 'an, etc. in the Qing Dynasty, but in the Republic of China, they were led by Zhang Yuecheng and Zhang Shouchen. The most famous workshop for carving copper ink cartridges is Chen Yinsheng, the owner of "Wan Feng" at the end of Qing Dynasty and the beginning of Republic of China, and the shop of "Tonggutang" in the Republic of China advocated paying tribute to ministers, as well as Wanlizhai, Yihesheng, Jingmingzhai and Gu Song Zhai. They made copper ink cartridges the pinnacle of copper carving art, making them exquisite works of art integrating words, patterns, patterns and tips.
Third, the theme: celebrity calligraphy and painting is the most important. In that year, famous painters and painters provided paintings such as Qi Baishi, Chen Shiceng, Mang Fu Yao, Chen Banding and Pu Xin? Ding Foyan, Shoushigong, Lin Qinnan and others often provide paintings for bronze carving artists. Their landscape figures, flowers, birds, fish and insects, Ding Yi patterns and calligraphy have become the best in the collection of copper carving ink boxes, and people have collected them. In addition, the market value of copper-engraved ink cartridges can also be affected by introducing special processes such as copper misplacement, unique device type, and the relationship between ink cartridges and historical figures and events.
iv. workmanship and appearance: although the copper ink cartridges are made of metal, they are not easy to crack, but the edge of the cover is thin, and many copper ink cartridges handed down are mostly used products, with ink residue. After decades and hundreds of years of corrosion, the edges are easy to corrode and the corners are easy to crack. Therefore, special attention should be paid to whether the ink cartridges are smooth, intact and unbroken during collection.
5. Look at the materials. The materials of copper ink cartridges are mostly white copper and brass. Before the Republic of China, they were mostly brass. Generally speaking, the copper ink box made of white copper is soft and bright, smooth and moist, with strong expression of words and patterns on the box surface and prominent background. The brighter the copper, the more valuable it is for collection. If excellent craftsmanship is applied to brass, it is also worth collecting. In addition, white copper, brass and red copper are used, and the name "three inlays" is the most special and rare.
VI. Chronology: From the chronological point of view, the current price of copper-engraved ink cartridges in the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China is still in the initial stage of start-up, and its value is still underestimated, with a large room for appreciation. From the late Republic of China to the early liberation, the price is average, and each ink cartridge has its own characteristics. It is necessary to observe whether it is a product at that time from the aspects of copper, workmanship, engraving, use and patina.
In a word, the prosperity of engraved copper ink cartridges in China is only a matter of several decades. With the appearance of hard pen, fountain pen gradually replaced brush as the main writing tool in daily life, and copper engraving ink box was gradually forgotten by people, and it almost disappeared from now on. Due to the short-term prevalence of engraved copper ink cartridges, the total number of collectors is very small, and there are not many auctions in auction houses. More fine products need to be found in antiques and second-hand goods markets. Compared with other antiques, ink box collection is still in its infancy, but its collection and appreciation space can not be underestimated. Due to the obvious characteristics of the era of copper ink cartridges, copper engraving artists are almost extinct at present, and the collection of ink cartridges is in its infancy. Compared with other collections, it is easier to textual research and collect copper engraving ink cartridges. In addition, the current price of engraved copper ink cartridges in the market is different, which is a good time for Tibetan friends to invest.
finally, Jia Wenzhong reminded collectors that what needs attention is that most of the fakes seen in the market at present are those produced in recent years, especially those made by Chen Yinsheng and Mang Fu Yao. However, as long as it is carefully identified, flaws will be found, because it is unlikely that there will be no flaws in poetry, books, paintings, printing and engraving on one ink cartridge. Good luck and happiness!