Recently, Xie Wenye, a collector of ancient Chinese ceramic incense burners and vice president of the Shanghai Overseas Chinese Collection Association, sat down for an interview with China News Network. He shared that collecting ancient incense burners is primarily about the inheritance and preservation of historical culture. Each incense burner embodies the craftsmanship, aesthetics, and social context of its time, allowing for the continuation and safeguarding of these precious cultural heritage pieces.
Hailing from a family with four generations of collectors, Xie was immersed in a cultural atmosphere from a young age, influenced by his family’s collection of traditional Chinese medicine books and ancient ceramics. This background naturally led him to extend his interests into the realm of ancient ceramic incense burners. Guided by familial love and a curiosity for traditional culture, Xie embarked on his journey in this field.
After graduating in cultural relics protection in 1993, he focused on collecting ancient ceramic incense burners. As his collection grew, he delved deeper into the study of these artifacts, discovering the rich cultural significance and historical value they encapsulated.
In 1995, during a business trip, Xie stumbled upon a rare Song Dynasty official kiln incense burner. After examination by renowned expert Hua Yunan, its extraordinary value was confirmed. This discovery not only sparked his enthusiasm for incense burner collecting but also solidified his research direction in this domain. “At that moment, I felt as if I were engaging in a dialogue with history, profoundly appreciating the allure and meaning of collecting,” he recalled.
After reviewing Xie’s collection, Shi Yongfeng, an expert from the National Cultural Relics Appraisal Committee’s ceramics group, noted that these incense burners encompass a wide range of representative artifacts from ancient China, showcasing various types and forms. The quality and quantity far exceed those of most collectors at home and abroad.
According to Xie, ancient ceramic incense burners often embody the pinnacle of ceramic craftsmanship of their time. From shaping to firing, each stage demands exceptional skill and experience, reflecting the ingenuity and artistry of ancient craftsmen. Additionally, these incense burners served practical purposes in ancient society, laden with rich cultural meanings and religious significance. “They were often closely tied to rituals, reflecting the cultural ethos and spiritual aspirations of their time,” he explained.
“Incense burners from different periods mirror the cultural characteristics, social landscapes, and spiritual pursuits of various historical phases,” Xie elaborated. During the pre-Qin period, incense burners were generally simple, predominantly made of bronze or occasionally ceramics. Their designs reflected the solemnity of ritual culture and respect for deities. In the Han and Tang dynasties, as the economy flourished and cultural exchanges increased, incense burners saw more refined craftsmanship and ornate designs, often incorporating elements of Western culture that exemplified a spirit of openness and prosperity.
In contrast, during the Song and Yuan dynasties, there was a greater emphasis on elegance and simplicity in lines, with an increase in ceramic materials. Incense burners from this period reflected the aesthetic tastes of cultured individuals, showcasing the cultural development and introspective pursuits of the time.
Historically, the Southern Song official kiln was established to exclusively produce porcelain for the court. Early in the Southern Song period, in response to royal demand, two kilns were established near Lin’an (modern-day Hangzhou). Despite a relatively short production period, the official kiln represented the pinnacle of porcelain craftsmanship, making its surviving pieces extremely rare and valuable.
Xie used an example from his collection, a qin furnace from the Southern Song official kiln, to illustrate the aesthetic pursuits reflected in its design and color. “The qin furnace is small and delicate, with a glaze that sits between pale blue and moon white, exuding tranquility and elegance,” he noted. “Its thick glaze feels jade-like and smooth, with natural crackle patterns and variations that are meticulously crafted. Its base reveals the raw clay in an iron-black color, and the internal structure features five supporting nails, showcasing the kiln’s advanced firing techniques.”
Beyond incense burners as mere containers, Xie also shared his unique insights on traditional Chinese incense. “Chinese incense culture has a long history, beginning in the Qin and Han dynasties, flourishing through the Six Dynasties, maturing in the Sui and Tang dynasties, peaking in the Song and Yuan dynasties, and widely spreading during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Like the incense burners, Chinese incense emphasizes cultural depth and spiritual significance. It is not merely a sensory pleasure but embodies profound philosophical ideas, moral values, and humanistic spirit,” he explained. He highlighted that in selecting materials, traditional Chinese incense often uses natural plant ingredients, striving for an essence of beauty in nature. Its aromas are subtle, ethereal, and elegant, deeply resonating without being ostentatious.
Xie emphasized, “Accompanying incense, incense burners witness our nation’s millennia-long journey, encompassing various academic fields including history, folklore, rituals, literature, religion, wellness, and ceramics. Therefore, ancient ceramic incense burners represent one of the most collectible types within ceramic art.”
