{"product_id":"large-chinese-bronzed-stoneware-double-gourd-scholar-s-vessel","title":"Large Chinese \"Bronzed\" Stoneware Double Gourd Scholar’s Vessel","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA striking marriage of form, philosophy, and ceramic mastery, this substantial stoneware vessel is modeled after the traditional Chinese \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003edouble gourd (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehulu\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—a powerful symbol of longevity, prosperity, and a gateway to the immortal realms.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeated along the upper bulb are two relaxed \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDaoist Immortals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, effortlessly integrated into the natural contours of the gourd's vine, which twists upward to form an elegant decorative handle. The lower body serves as a canvas for the sacred text of the Mahayana Buddhist \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeart Sutra (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eXin Jing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, dynamically incised by hand in a fluid running script (xingshu). Visible segments feature the seminal phrase \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e色即是空\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e空即是色\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (Form is emptiness, emptiness is form).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrafted in the late 20th century, this piece honors the traditional scholarly aesthetic of Sanjiao Heyi (the harmony of the Three Teachings). To achieve its dramatic, antique presence, the heavy clay body was finished with a specialized, iron-rich metallic slip wash before firing, perfectly capturing the mottled, weathered patina of an archaic cast bronze. It is a commanding, highly tactile addition to the modern home or Asian art collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Features \u0026amp; Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eType:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Chinese Scholar’s Style Decorative Pottery\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMotif:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Daoist Immortals \u0026amp; Incised Buddhist Heart Sutra Text\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Heavy, high-fired unglazed stoneware with a metallic iron-slip finish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Late 20th Century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 13\" H × 12.5\" W × 8\" D\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Heavy, substantial display presence (scale verified next to standard 12oz can in product gallery)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Condition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Very good vintage condition with an excellent, uniform structural body.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSurface Wear:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e True to its age and medium, there are minor, superficial chips to the slip finish on the underside edge of the foot rim and the back of the figure's headdress (visible in detail photos). These minor flecks expose the lighter, raw clay matrix beneath, adding to the artifactual character of the piece without compromising its structural or visual integrity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"I Ching Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47829844918324,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0763\/4242\/7700\/files\/D6550789-8F87-4804-B7BE-E5E493488494.png?v=1783998305","url":"https:\/\/ichingantiques.com\/products\/large-chinese-bronzed-stoneware-double-gourd-scholar-s-vessel","provider":"I Ching Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}