23/03/2026
潮州锡炉与烛台
（民国末至20世纪50年代）
本组展品包括一件潮州锡炉与一对烛台，制作年代约为民国末年至20世纪50年代，是传统手工艺在时代转型期的重要实物见证。
锡炉造型庄重典雅。炉盖以“狮子扭”为饰，狮形昂首而立，神态威严而富有动感，寓意守护与镇宅。炉身两侧设“双龙耳”，双龙盘旋对称，线条流畅，象征祥瑞与权威。炉底为“狮脚足”，三足稳立，结构坚实，增强整体的力量感与稳定性。整器构思严谨，上下呼应，体现出传统礼器所特有的秩序与庄重。
与之配套的烛台一对，造型别致生动。烛台以“鹿咬如玉”为主题，鹿首微扬，口衔圆润构件，形似玉珠，寓意“福禄相承”。鹿象征“禄”，玉象征纯美与高洁，二者结合，寄托了吉祥祝愿与审美意趣。整体造型轻盈灵动，与锡炉的沉稳形成对比与平衡。
从工艺上看，此组器物体现了潮州锡器精湛的制作传统。锡质细腻温润，表面处理柔和含蓄；纹饰通过錾刻与手工修整完成，层次分明，线条流畅。动物形象兼具写实与装饰意味，展现出匠人高超的造型能力与审美修养。
在历史语境中，民国末至新中国初期，传统手工业在社会变迁中逐步转型。这一时期的潮州锡器既延续了晚清以来的装饰风格，又趋向实用与简化，呈现出承续与变化并存的面貌。本组展品正体现了这一过渡阶段的工艺特征与文化内涵。
此套锡炉与烛台，不仅是日常供用器物，更承载着象征意义与时代记忆，展现了中国传统工艺在历史变迁中的延续与生命力。
Chaozhou Pewter Incense Burner and Candlesticks
(Late Republic of China to 1950s)
This set comprises a Chaozhou pewter incense burner and a pair of candlesticks, dating from the late Republic of China period to the 1950s. It stands as a representative example of traditional craftsmanship during a time of social and cultural transition.
The incense burner presents a dignified and balanced form. The lid is topped with a lion-shaped finial, rendered in an alert, upright posture, symbolizing protection and authority. On either side of the body are a pair of dragon-shaped handles, symmetrically arranged with fluid, curling forms that convey auspicious power and prestige. The base is supported by three lion-paw feet, providing both structural stability and a sense of dynamic strength. The overall composition is carefully orchestrated, reflecting the order and solemnity characteristic of ritual vessels.
The accompanying pair of candlesticks features an elegant and lively design. Each candlestick is modeled as a deer holding a rounded, jade-like element in its mouth. The deer, traditionally associated with “lu” (prosperity and official success), combined with the imagery of jade, conveys blessings of fortune, purity, and refinement. The graceful and animated form of the candlesticks offers a visual counterbalance to the solidity of the incense burner.
Technically, this set exemplifies the refined traditions of Chaozhou pewter craftsmanship. The material is smooth and lustrous, with a soft, understated finish. Decorative details are executed through chasing and hand-finishing techniques, resulting in clear layering and fluid lines. The animal motifs blend naturalistic observation with stylized expression, demonstrating the artisan’s skill and aesthetic sensibility.
Historically, the late Republican era through the early years of the People’s Republic of China marked a period of transformation for traditional crafts. Chaozhou pewterware from this time retains the decorative richness of earlier traditions while gradually adapting toward greater practicality and simplification. This set vividly reflects the continuity and evolution of craftsmanship in a changing society.
More than functional objects, this incense burner and pair of candlesticks embody symbolic meaning and cultural memory, illustrating the enduring vitality of Chinese traditional arts.
