Dayazhai Enamel Painted Windowed Iron-Red Landscape Bell Cup

Enamel-painted windowed iron-red landscape bell cup: This cup features a distant landscape in iron-red with a window, depicting three thatched cottages, half an acre of bamboo, a scholar leaning on his cane, and a small bridge with flowing water at his feet.

Another window view shows a lone boat, seagulls and egrets flying south, and distant and near mountains standing tall and appearing and disappearing amidst the swirling clouds and mist, resembling a fairyland.

The painting is rendered in iron-red, creating a soft and bright effect. The brushwork is meticulous and the composition is intricate and well-structured.

The teacher's painting skills and the time spent are condensed in this small teacup.
Painting on porcelain is far more difficult than painting on paper. Combining enamel techniques with lotus and peony patterns creates a delightful contrast.

Treasure flower:

The term "Baoxiang" originates from Buddhism. It is a respectful term used by Buddhist believers to refer to the image of the Buddha, and it represents an ideal flower shape that is pure, dignified, and beautiful.

The term "Baoxianghua" does not refer to a single flower shape. It is a pattern that has undergone artistic refinement, incorporating and refining elements from various flowers such as lotus, peony, and pomegranate.

Enamel:

Besides the intricate and delicate painting process, the enamel-painted openwork iron-red landscape bell cup requires four firings in the kiln to complete, each with its own risks.

Enamelware from the Qing Dynasty was originally intended for the enjoyment of emperors and empresses. Enamel is a special type of artificially fired pigment. Before the sixth year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign (1728), it had to be imported from Europe. After the sixth year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, the Qing Palace workshops were able to refine more than 20 kinds of enamel pigments themselves, which is a product of the peak period of ancient Chinese polychrome porcelain craftsmanship.