Engraved White-Metal Self-Heating Tea or Wine Vessel with Classical Poetry

Object/Artifact

-

The Curio Cabinet Collection

Name/Title

Engraved White-Metal Self-Heating Tea or Wine Vessel with Classical Poetry

Entry/Object ID

ML0128

Description

Chinese engraved white-metal tea or wine vessel of rounded form, with curved spout, hinged carrying handle, decorative domed upper section, and removable components apparently associated with an internal heating system. Its surface combines framed narrative landscapes depicting robed figures, mountainous scenery, trees, and riverside activities with the complete Tang-dynasty poem Liang Si by Li Shangyin. The imagery evokes traditional scholar culture and contemplative rural life, while the poem concerns separation, memory, and longing. Pierced floral openings and fine ornamental engraving integrate its functional and decorative character.

Category

Chinese Metal Art

Made/Created

Artist

Maker presently unidentified

Time Period

20th Century

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Continent

Asia

Culture/Tribe

Chinese

Inscription/Signature/Marks

The two inscription panels together reproduce the complete poem 涼思 — Liáng Sī, usually translated Cool Thoughts, Thoughts of Coolness, or Melancholy Thoughts. The characters are arranged in vertical columns, read from top to bottom and from right to left. Panel A — Beginning of the poem 客去波平檻 蟬休露滿枝 永懷當此節 倚立自移時 Chinese Pinyin Translation 客去波平檻 Kè qù bō píng jiàn The guest departed as the waters reached the railing 蟬休露滿枝 Chán xiū lù mǎn zhī The cicadas have fallen silent; dew covers the branches 永懷當此節 Yǒng huái dāng cǐ jié I remain absorbed in memories of that season 倚立自移時 Yǐ lì zì yí shí Leaning here, I scarcely notice the passing of time The first half moves between the remembered departure of a companion and the quiet, dew-covered scene of the present. Panel B — Conclusion of the poem 北斗兼春遠 南陵寓使遲 天涯占夢數 疑誤有新知 Chinese Pinyin Translation 北斗兼春遠 Běi dǒu jiān chūn yuǎn The northern capital feels distant, as do the passing springs 南陵寓使遲 Nán líng yù shǐ chí At Nanling, the messenger bearing news is late 天涯占夢數 Tiān yá zhān mèng shuò Across the great distance, I repeatedly interpret my dreams 疑誤有新知 Yí wù yǒu xīn zhī I fear my absent friend may have found a new companion This inscription matches the received version of Li Shangyin's poem, with the expected traditional character forms.

Dimensions

Height

7-1/8 in

Width

6-15/16 in

Diameter

4-3/4 in

Weight

1,131 g

Materials

Material Notes

White metal, possibly pewter or paktong-type copper alloy; composition unverified

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Acquisition

Acquisition Method

Purchase