前言

文玩與文具上書寫銘文及鐫刻，在宋元時代，已經為文人所常有之藝術創作。米芾好在奇石上寫銘；趙子昂所銘奇石，亦見諸記載。元代高士孫道明在自己所用紫砂茶壺上銘刻「且吃茶．清隱」數字，器物在明代仍存在，是現今所知最早有銘刻之紫砂壺。

明代文人皆以書房為自己的天地，故書房中之用品及陳設，莫不精益求精。文士及書畫家，皆喜好文房雅玩與用品上書寫或鐫刻文句。尤其墨硯上刻銘，明清書家，幾乎無不有參與這一方面的創作。

文玩較之以紙張、絹素為載體之其它藝術品，較為不易毀壞，故傳世文玩，尤其玉石金銅所製，流傳很多，其實亦我國藝術一個很大宗又獨特之項目。

饒宗頤教授於文房用品、文具及茶具中繪畫書寫之作品，為數不少。因為多施於立體之表面上，故與其它書畫作品比較，別有奇趣。

香港大學饒宗頤學術館在甲辰年春，特舉辦「文房雅具──選堂銘器」展，展出十八件（套）與饒教授作品結合之文房文玩藝術品，足見饒教授在藝術創作上的多樣性，及其無限的創造力！

Introduction

Inscriptions and engravings on studio objects emerged as prevalent artistic expressions among the literati during the Song and Yuan dynasties. Figures such as Mi Fu, renowned for his inscriptions on stones, and Zhao Mengfu, whose stone inscriptions are well-documented, exemplify this cultural phenomenon. In the Yuan dynasty, scholar Sun Daoming inscribed the characters conveying the meaning “Let us have tea” on a purple clay teapot he used. The teapot, which still existed in the Ming dynasty, marks the earliest known purple clay teapot with an inscription.

Throughout the Ming dynasty, the literati treasured their studies as sanctuaries. As a result, the utensils and furnishings in the study were typically adorned with exquisite craftsmanship. Scholars and painters often embellished their artifacts and utensils with calligraphy and engravings. In particular, nearly all calligraphers of the Ming and Qing dynasties contributed to this practice, especially in engraving ink slabs.

Studio objects, specifically those crafted from jade, gold, and bronze, are less fragile than materials like paper and silk, allowing them to endure the passage of time more effectively. Consequently, these objects have become a significant and distinctive facet of Chinese art.

Professor Jao Tsung-i adorned numerous studio objects and tea sets with his paintings and calligraphy. The three-dimensional nature of the objects infuses them with a unique charm compared to paintings and calligraphic works.

In the spring of 2024, the year of Jiachen, the Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole of The University of Hong Kong hosted an exhibition entitled “Synergy in Art: Professor Jao Tsung-i and Studio Objects.” This exhibition showcased eighteen sets of artifacts combined with Professor Jao’s artworks, highlighting the diversity of his artistic creations and boundless ingenuity!