Play treasure master

Chapter 376 From Second-Rate Writer to Porcelain Master
Regarding the issue of the chrysanthemum plate not being signed, Yu Yao patiently explained to Shen Ge:
"Yongzheng's single-color glaze is proficient in technique and has achieved extremely high achievements, mainly due to Nian Xiyao's contribution. Tang Ying's reputation is indeed no less than Nian Xiyao's, or even greater. But he is still inferior to Nian Xiyao in terms of monochrome glaze. Nian Xiyao's; moreover, he became a monk in his fifties and presided over the imperial kiln factory, and his attainments have been improved step by step. At the beginning, if he wanted to continue the twelve-color glazed chrysanthemum petal dish, he would definitely try firing it first, so it would be fine if he didn't sign. It's normal."

"Try burning?" Shen Ge frowned, "But I feel that the craft is already very proficient."

"Just kidding, this is the famous Tang Ying! Even if it is a trial burning, you have to be fully prepared before trying it."

As Yu Yao said, he tapped the tip of Chen Ge's nose, "My point of view is that if we can identify it as a Yongzheng official kiln from the craftsmanship and year, and at the same time, it does not carry a money, excluding those conventional reasons for not signing the name, most likely it is In the late Yongzheng period, the products that were successfully burned by Tang Ying in the test will also be adopted and transported to the capital."

It's still the old saying on porcelain, Ming sees Chenghua, clear sees Yongzheng.

The reason why Yongzheng made such high achievements in porcelain is of course related to Emperor Yongzheng. He loved art and was relatively restrained.

But there is another important reason that has to be mentioned, that is, the two famous pottery supervisors who served during the Yongzheng period: Nian Xiyao and Tang Ying.The official kilns they presided over are also called "Nian Kiln" and "Tang Kiln" respectively.

Nian Xiyao's younger brother, Nian Gengyao, is much more famous as a historical figure than Nian Xiyao.In the third year of Yongzheng, Nian Gengyao was investigated for "rebellion".The crime of treason is too serious, and Nian Gengyao's only ending is death.

Normally, Nian Xiyao's brother, Nian Xiyao, should not be killed, regardless of whether he has any problems.

However, Yongzheng really liked Nian Xiyao very much, and he trusted him very much.After the Nian Gengyao case, Nian Xiyao was punished by dismissal from the head of the imperial kiln factory to a civilian.

This punishment is too light, and it is still "false".To put it bluntly, it was to let him avoid the limelight of Nian Gengyao's case.Less than a month after his dismissal, Nian Xiyao was not only reinstated, but also promoted again!In the past, he was only in charge of the imperial kiln factory, but now he is the director of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the person in charge of the imperial kiln factory.

He was in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs until the death of Yongzheng.

However, the position of the person in charge of the imperial kiln factory, that is, the pottery supervisor, was taken over by Tang Ying in the sixth year of Yongzheng.

Speaking of Tang Ying, she is indeed more famous than Nian Xiyao, and it is impossible for those who play porcelain not to know.His brilliance, the brilliance of Tang kiln, was not mainly in the Yongzheng period, but in the Qianlong period.During the Yongzheng period, he worked as a pottery supervisor, but he was still under Nian Xiyao, the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

In the sixth year of Yongzheng, Tang Ying, who had just been appointed as the pottery supervisor, was actually a layman and was close to 50 years old.

Before that, what was Tang Ying's biggest hobby?Opera, specifically script creation.

When he was young, he was a playwright. He dug up some Zaju and Kunqu operas of the Yuan Dynasty, and sorted out some legendary stories.In this regard, he is not well-known, and he should be regarded as a second-rate writer.

The identity of a second-rate writer is artistic, and his normal job is still an official.Before taking up the post of supervisor of pottery, the highest position he held was Wai Lang, member of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

From this point of view, appointing Tang Ying as the pottery supervisor is considered an internal rotation, because the Royal Kiln Factory was originally managed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The emperor arranged, of course, must be obeyed unconditionally.

This job is very difficult, not only because Tang Ying is a layman at this time, but also because Nian Xiyao, the former pottery supervisor and still Tang Ying's superior, is too good at porcelain.

Tremendous stress.

It is not uncommon for laymen to direct experts in many units and departments. This was the case when Tang Ying went to the Royal Kiln Factory.

However, Tang Ying didn't play tricks, rolled up her sleeves and went out of the kiln.Eat and live with the kiln workers, pursue diligently and study hard.A few years later, Tang Ying changed from an amateur to a real expert, and was praised by Emperor Yongzheng.

The great pianist Chopin once said: I practice the piano for more than ten hours every day, but in the end the world sums me up as "genius".In fact, what others have concluded is correct. If it weren't for his extraordinary talent, it would be useless to practice 25 hours a day.

The same is true of Tang Ying, who became a monk halfway through. If he didn't have the talent in porcelain, no matter how hard he worked, he would not be able to achieve his achievements.

He loved drama creation before and worked very hard, but in the end he could only be a well-known, second-rate writer.But on porcelain, his efforts have made a generation of porcelain masters.

Yongzheng died, Qianlong came to the throne, and Tang Ying continued to perform his duties.At the beginning, Qianlong was not satisfied with Tang Ying. For example, Qianlong said: Why do you always burn the old porcelain from the former emperor's period? Why didn't you innovate?

In fact, this is not a question of Tang Ying's level, but the difference between Qianlong's aesthetics and Yongzheng's aesthetics.

In order to satisfy Qianlong, Tang Ying began to "innovate" constantly. The monochromatic glaze and relatively small shape of the utensils are no longer the same as before.

How about the aesthetic level of porcelain in the Qianlong Dynasty? This is because radish and cabbage have their own preferences; but, in terms of craftsmanship, a brilliant peak has indeed appeared under Tang Ying's efforts.For example, the 5.5 million Jiqing Youyu Swivel Bottle was once auctioned, and its craftsmanship is unprecedented.

In short, the glory of Qianlong porcelain is the glory of Tang kiln.

At the same time, the official kiln wares of the Tang Ying period included some of the dated models, some without models, and some of Tang Ying's own models.

"Understood." Shen Ge nodded, "This chrysanthemum plate is a very special Yongzheng official kiln without money, and it can be regarded as an artifact that witnessed Tang Ying's growth."

Yu Yao replied, "Yes, but this is just my analysis. If you want to be sure that Tang Ying made something, there is not enough evidence; but it is possible to determine that it is a Yongzheng official kiln."

"I won't sell this small offer." Shen Ge looked at Yu Yao, "Your analysis is enough."

Yu Yao couldn't help sighing, "In these years, to come across such a good thing at an antique stall, I feel like my luck has been exhausted all of a sudden."

Shen Ge tightened Yu Yao's arm, "Don't talk nonsense, I just started shopping!"

There were quite a lot of people in the street stall area, and the two squeezed around and looked at a few stalls, but they didn't find anything that was eye-catching.

However, the two share similar interests, and Shen Ge still has a certain vision, which is really a very comfortable thing.

Walking to a corner of the stall area, the two found a special stall.

The reason why it is special is because there is only one thing on this stall.This booth is not a normal booth either, it just takes advantage of the gap between the two booths at the corner.

(End of this chapter)