Ming Dynasty paperweights, most of which are ruler-shaped, with animal buttons on them, consistent with literature records, such as the copper tiger button paperweight, rectangular ruler-shaped base, with a crouching tiger head, and tiger head carving Delicate and realistic, the tiger tail is freehand and rough.

The copper paperweights of the Qing Dynasty were innovative while following the style of the Ming Dynasty. Especially with the advancement of technology, paperweights with strong decorative taste began to appear, which can be said to be both ornamental and practical.

For example, a gilt copper and enamel paperweight was produced in the mid-Qing Dynasty. The copper body was gilded, and then enamel was used to paint directly on the metal body. The decoration was delicate and realistic, much like the pastels in porcelain, and had high craftsmanship value. A fine work of art in the house.

In terms of shape, due to the increasing popularity of literati printing and inkstone engraving and the widespread use of couplets, paperweights are mainly in the form of long strips, especially in pairs, with poems and mottos engraved on them, or paintings of bamboos, plums, chrysanthemums and orchids. It is both practical and artistic, especially in a well-furnished study room, where paperweights reflect the owner’s hobbies.、In terms of interest and other aspects, there should be a finishing touch.

Paperweights Bronze antiques were used as paperweights and became fashionable among literati. Various bronze and jade articles imitating animal shapes were specially made to serve as paperweights to meet market demand.

Gao Lian of the Ming Dynasty has a chapter called"Paperweight" in his"Eight Notes of Zunsheng". He said that some people used bronze toads, bronze crouching tigers, bronze crouching chi and other utensils as paperweights.

Ancient paperweights were mostly made of three-dimensional shapes of animals such as rabbits, horses, sheep, deer, toads, etc. They were small in area but heavy in weight, and were mostly made of jade, ceramics, copper, crystal, etc.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, famous calligraphers and painters emerged in large numbers, which greatly promoted the production and use of study utensils. The materials and shapes of paperweights also underwent new changes. In addition to continuing to use copper and jade, stone and red sandalwood were also added. Wood, ebony, etc.

There has also been a big breakthrough in terms of styling.

For example, carve plum blossoms, orchids, bamboos and chrysanthemums on it, or write a few words on it.

Exquisite and beautiful.

Zhenchi in the Ming Dynasty were made of wood, copper, jade, stone and other materials, and were mostly in the shape of a ruler. Zhu Zhifan's poem of the Ming Dynasty said:"Wenmu is cut into a straight shape, and half of the book is written in Gaozhai." Compared with the Ming Dynasty, paperweights in the Qing Dynasty were made of more porcelain, ivory, etc., but they were still mainly ruler-shaped. Copper is more common for paperweights due to its weight."Stationery Collection"》:"Among the bronze ones, there are green toads with green body parts; there are crouching tigers, squatting chisels, and sleeping dragons; there are sitting and lying dolls, there are gold-plated to ward off evil spirits, and there are lying horses, all of which are antiques."

Nowadays, most of them on the market are rulers. The paperweight is shaped and can be used for a long time.

And collecting is now popular.

Paperweights are also passed down as an antique and are loved by many people, especially works by famous artists, which are especially rare.

The paperweight in Zhong Jing’s hand is an object from the Qing Dynasty.

It is a mahogany paperweight..

Twelve centimeters long.

About three centimeters wide.

Two centimeters thick.

It is ruler-shaped.

It feels very smooth and feels heavy.

This thing is a good product at first glance.

The paperweight on the left has an orchid painted on it. There is a line of small words written below.

The paperweight on the right is painted with - Lotus, and there is also a line of small words written below. Paperweights engraved with calligraphy and painting are usually drafted by calligraphers and painters, and the procedure is the same as that of copper-engraved ink cartridges: first select the paperweight you like, or Wood, or bamboo, or ivory, or copper. According to common sense, reputable calligraphers and painters must choose smooth paperweights with excellent materials and unique shapes. They evenly apply a layer of white powder on top to set the base, and then the calligraphers and painters Then he began to conceive and create on it.

The calligraphy and painting works on the paperweight are actually miniaturizations of the calligraphers and painters' own works. Its composition, brushwork, and charm should be consistent with the large-scale works. In fact, some calligraphers and painters are not good at making miniature sketches..

In the past, there were no photocopiers and photographic technology that could enlarge and reduce the size at will. Therefore, calligraphers and painters who could generally make calligraphy and painting on small paperweights and capture their charm must have profound skills.

After the calligraphers and painters were finished, famous engravers would engrave on them. According to the characteristics of calligraphy and painting, carving is completed carefully one knife at a time. Carving chores must be well versed in the calligraphy and painter's ink and personality, and use the knife in hand to recreate the characteristics of the calligrapher's and painter's works, and vividly reflect their characteristics, so the small The small paperweight embodies the joint efforts of famous calligraphers, painters and famous engravers, and can also be said to be their joint work.

This joint work is not arbitrary, because the composition, brushwork and charm of calligraphy and painting must match the style and charm of sculpture, so Every successful high-quality piece is extremely rare.

This also leads to the very high price of this type of paperweight.

It is liked by many people and then collected.

The paperweight in Zhong Jing's hand is one of them.

It is similar to the four treasures of pen, ink, paper and inkstone. Paperweights can be called the"little five" in ancient literati's studies.

Paperweights with rare materials, excellent carvings, ingenious designs, and long history have high collection value. However, in the collection market, the most common ones are red sandalwood, mahogany, The price of paperweights made of wenge wood and other materials is less than 1,000 yuan, which has not attracted more attention from collectors.

At large auctions, the overall transaction price of paperweights is not high. Most of the single collections are sold for less than 100,000 yuan, and occasionally There are low-priced items sold for several thousand yuan, which are difficult to compare with inkstones, writing brushes, and seals._Feilu reminds you: three things about reading - collection and recommendation

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