In fact, "Xuande furnace" is a general term, which refers not only to incense burners made in Xuande period, but also to bronze furnaces with similar shapes. This is actually easier to understand. For example, "cloisonne" does not refer specifically to the enamel made during the Jingtai period in the Ming Dynasty, but is the floorboard of a unique craft. According to records, Xuande cast bronze furnaces for three years, totaling thousands of pieces. At that time, Xuan Lu was not only used by the royal family, but also distributed to kings, courtiers, altars in the suburbs of Beijing and even famous temples all over the country. It is so widely distributed that now Xuande furnaces can be seen everywhere, while the truly orderly ones have almost disappeared without a trace.

Xuande furnace is famous for its beautiful shape and excellent texture. Mao Bijiang's Song of Xuanlu praised its skin color: "Like a woman's skin, soft and delicate." The imitation furnace of Xuande Dynasty lasted until the Republic of China and even today. The mountains and rivers have changed for a hundred years, and the bronze incense burner cast by Xuande for three years is extremely rare. Due to the existence of numerous imitations in past dynasties, the later "Xuande furnace" not only refers to the furnace manufactured by Xuande for three years, but also becomes the general name of Xuande copper furnace. Some of them are of good quality and rare antiques.

Judging from the old collection of the Qing Palace, most of the bronze furnaces with the words "Xuande" were cast after the middle of the Ming Dynasty, but they still have high historical and artistic value in terms of age and technology. Although it is still uncertain which one is the "true mystery" cast by Xuande for three years, there is no doubt that Xuande furnace, as an artifact in the collection of the old palace, exists objectively. So the debate about whether there is a Xuande furnace can stop here.

Leather color refers to the color of the appearance of Xuande furnace. According to the records in Xuande Yi-ware Atlas, there are more than a dozen pieces, which are regarded as an important standard to distinguish "truth and mystery" by later generations. In fact, the so-called leather shells are mostly caused by post-processing. There are detailed records of making furnace colors in Xuan Lu Bolun written by Xiang Zijing in the late Ming Dynasty. However, the color of the cast natural metal is very single. Therefore, judging the "true declaration" by skin color is really putting the cart before the horse. Skin color is not innate and has nothing to do with casting materials or refining. Leather color itself: {1310}1713004 was added later, and it will change color or come off when used. Judging from the old Xuande artifacts, due to years of frequent use, there are many smoke stains on the surface, the patina is too heavy, the color is dark, and the original skin color is gone. Later, Xuande stoves purchased or donated were mostly made by collectors, which were more ornamental than practical, and the appearance was bright and bright, which was in sharp contrast with the old Tibetan utensils. On the other hand, the Xuande furnace in the Qing Dynasty, especially the model of the three generations of Gan, which is recognized in the old Tibetan vessels, has hardly been used, and the color of the leather shell is colorful, which can be seen from the style of the furnace.

Ming and Qing Dynasties were the peak stage of bronze furnace production. Craftsmen have accumulated exquisite skills and formed a unique tradition in the long-term production process, which is unique in the history of arts and crafts in China. The carefully smelted copper furnace has simple and elegant shape, smooth lines, exquisite craftsmanship, soft color and delicate texture, and its collection value and historical value can not be ignored. Its unique cultural characteristics make the bronze furnace a typical object of cultural representatives at that time, which has high artistic and collection value.

Daming Xuande (Wu Bangzuo)

The bronze tire of this incense burner weighs 637g, is 7cm high, and has a diameter of 12.5cm. The furnace shape is plump and slightly flat, quite heavy, with a straight mouth edge and a bridge-shaped left and right ears. So it's called Shuangqiao ear bronze incense burner. Its neck is euphemistic, round and fat, and its circle is thick. At the bottom, there is a 16-character calligraphy written by Wu Bangzuo, an official of the Ministry of Industry who supervised Daming Xuande for five years. It is profound, accurate and magnificent. The whole device has elegant modeling lines and delicate texture, and it is very sincere to start. The fetal slurry is mellow and moist, dignified and deep in color, stable in texture, exquisite in shape and fine in workmanship. The whole fuselage is full of light, and the device is simple and exquisite. The device can be put on the desk for practical use, and can also be held in the hand for appreciation, which is of great collection value to collectors.