Height: 6 cm, Mouth Diameter: 6 cm
This cup represents the pinnacle of Ming Chenghua official kiln production, renowned for its extreme thinness and classified among the rare “eggshell porcelain” category. Its form is elegantly delicate, fitting perfectly in the palm of the hand. The clay body is finely levigated and refined, firing to a hard, pure white texture. The walls are as thin as a cicada’s wing, appearing nearly translucent when held to light—a perfect embodiment of the legendary Chenghua porcelain technique described as “lustrous like jade, thin as an egg membrane.”
The exterior is painted in pingdeng qing cobalt with a “double dragons chasing a pearl” motif. The two dragons are rendered with lively postures, depicted pursuing a flaming pearl. Their bodies are slender and gracefully extended, typical of Chenghua dragon designs. Notably, the dragons are shown with four claws, a distinctive feature in Chenghua official wares that may relate to specific court conventions or aesthetic preferences. The painting is executed with refined, gentle brushwork and fluid, elegant lines. The blue-and-white pigment displays a soft, clear tone with a unique “reddish-purple” hue, distinct from the intense cobalt shades of later periods. The scattered and gracefully drifting clouds accentuate the light, dynamic movement of the dragons soaring across the sky. The overall composition is spacious and ethereal, reflecting the characteristically scholarly and restrained aesthetic taste of the Chenghua period.
The base bears an underglaze-blue square double-frame mark containing the six-character inscription in regular script: “Da Ming Chenghua Nian Zhi” (Made in the Chenghua Reign of the Great Ming). The calligraphy is vigorous and confident, with clear strokes and pauses, conforming to one of the standard mark styles of Chenghua official kilns. The double frame is neatly drawn, and the blue pigment has sunk deeply into the body, showing distinctive period characteristics.
Historical and Artistic Significance
Chenghua eggshell porcelain is exceptionally rare, extremely difficult to fire, and had an exceedingly low success rate, making it one of the most treasured types of Chinese porcelain. This piece combines extraordinary forming skill, classic decorative themes, and a standard Chenghua reign mark. It not only stands as proof of the technical mastery of the Chenghua official kilns but also embodies the material expression of the Ming imperial court’s refined and含蓄 (implicit) aesthetic ideal. The “double dragons chasing a pearl” motif symbolizes auspiciousness and authority, while the “eggshell” thinness showcases divine craftsmanship. It can rightly be considered a milestone work in the history of Chinese ceramics, perfectly integrating technology, art, and court culture.
明成化青花云龙纹蛋壳杯
高6厘米，口径6厘米
此杯为明代成化官窑的巅峰之作，以其极致的轻薄而闻名，属罕见的“蛋壳瓷”品类。器型隽秀玲珑，盈手可握。胎骨精研细淘，烧结后坚致洁白，杯壁薄如蝉翼，透光视之，几近透明，完美诠释了成化瓷“莹润如玉、薄如卵幕”的工艺神话。
杯身外壁以平等青料绘就“双龙戏珠”主题纹饰。双龙姿态灵动，呈追逐火焰宝珠之象，龙体纤细舒展，为典型的成化龙纹造型。值得注意的是，龙为四爪，此制式在成化官窑中颇为独特，或与特定宫廷仪轨或审美意趣相关。龙纹笔触细腻柔和，线条流畅婉约，青花发色淡雅清丽，呈现出独特的“姹紫”色调，与后世青花之浓艳迥异其趣。祥云疏朗飘逸，衬托出龙游天际的轻盈动态。整幅画面构图疏朗，意境空灵，展现了成化朝特有的文人化、内敛化的审美情趣。
杯底落青花双框方章款，内书“大明成化年制”六字楷书。款识笔法苍劲有力，顿捺分明，为成化官窑标准款识之一。双框线条工整，青花下沉，深入胎骨，时代特征显著。
历史与价值
成化蛋壳瓷存世极少，烧造难度极高，成品率极低，历来被视为瓷中至珍。本品集超凡的成型技艺、经典的纹饰题材与标准的成化款识于一身，不仅是成化官窑技术能力的明证，更是明代皇室典雅含蓄审美理想的物质结晶。其“双龙戏珠”纹样蕴含吉祥与权势，“蛋壳”之薄彰显鬼斧神工，堪称中国陶瓷史上将技术、艺术与宫廷文化完美融合的里程碑式作品。
Height: 6 cm, Mouth Diameter: 6 cm
This cup represents the pinnacle of Ming Chenghua official kiln production, renowned for its extreme thinness and classified among the rare “eggshell porcelain” category. Its form is elegantly delicate, fitting perfectly in the palm of the hand. The clay body is finely levigated and refined, firing to a hard, pure white texture. The walls are as thin as a cicada’s wing, appearing nearly translucent when held to light—a perfect embodiment of the legendary Chenghua porcelain technique described as “lustrous like jade, thin as an egg membrane.”
The exterior is painted in pingdeng qing cobalt with a “double dragons chasing a pearl” motif. The two dragons are rendered with lively postures, depicted pursuing a flaming pearl. Their bodies are slender and gracefully extended, typical of Chenghua dragon designs. Notably, the dragons are shown with four claws, a distinctive feature in Chenghua official wares that may relate to specific court conventions or aesthetic preferences. The painting is executed with refined, gentle brushwork and fluid, elegant lines. The blue-and-white pigment displays a soft, clear tone with a unique “reddish-purple” hue, distinct from the intense cobalt shades of later periods. The scattered and gracefully drifting clouds accentuate the light, dynamic movement of the dragons soaring across the sky. The overall composition is spacious and ethereal, reflecting the characteristically scholarly and restrained aesthetic taste of the Chenghua period.
The base bears an underglaze-blue square double-frame mark containing the six-character inscription in regular script: “Da Ming Chenghua Nian Zhi” (Made in the Chenghua Reign of the Great Ming). The calligraphy is vigorous and confident, with clear strokes and pauses, conforming to one of the standard mark styles of Chenghua official kilns. The double frame is neatly drawn, and the blue pigment has sunk deeply into the body, showing distinctive period characteristics.
Historical and Artistic Significance
Chenghua eggshell porcelain is exceptionally rare, extremely difficult to fire, and had an exceedingly low success rate, making it one of the most treasured types of Chinese porcelain. This piece combines extraordinary forming skill, classic decorative themes, and a standard Chenghua reign mark. It not only stands as proof of the technical mastery of the Chenghua official kilns but also embodies the material expression of the Ming imperial court’s refined and含蓄 (implicit) aesthetic ideal. The “double dragons chasing a pearl” motif symbolizes auspiciousness and authority, while the “eggshell” thinness showcases divine craftsmanship. It can rightly be considered a milestone work in the history of Chinese ceramics, perfectly integrating technology, art, and court culture.
明成化青花云龙纹蛋壳杯
高6厘米，口径6厘米
此杯为明代成化官窑的巅峰之作，以其极致的轻薄而闻名，属罕见的“蛋壳瓷”品类。器型隽秀玲珑，盈手可握。胎骨精研细淘，烧结后坚致洁白，杯壁薄如蝉翼，透光视之，几近透明，完美诠释了成化瓷“莹润如玉、薄如卵幕”的工艺神话。
杯身外壁以平等青料绘就“双龙戏珠”主题纹饰。双龙姿态灵动，呈追逐火焰宝珠之象，龙体纤细舒展，为典型的成化龙纹造型。值得注意的是，龙为四爪，此制式在成化官窑中颇为独特，或与特定宫廷仪轨或审美意趣相关。龙纹笔触细腻柔和，线条流畅婉约，青花发色淡雅清丽，呈现出独特的“姹紫”色调，与后世青花之浓艳迥异其趣。祥云疏朗飘逸，衬托出龙游天际的轻盈动态。整幅画面构图疏朗，意境空灵，展现了成化朝特有的文人化、内敛化的审美情趣。
杯底落青花双框方章款，内书“大明成化年制”六字楷书。款识笔法苍劲有力，顿捺分明，为成化官窑标准款识之一。双框线条工整，青花下沉，深入胎骨，时代特征显著。
历史与价值
成化蛋壳瓷存世极少，烧造难度极高，成品率极低，历来被视为瓷中至珍。本品集超凡的成型技艺、经典的纹饰题材与标准的成化款识于一身，不仅是成化官窑技术能力的明证，更是明代皇室典雅含蓄审美理想的物质结晶。其“双龙戏珠”纹样蕴含吉祥与权势，“蛋壳”之薄彰显鬼斧神工，堪称中国陶瓷史上将技术、艺术与宫廷文化完美融合的里程碑式作品。
