The Three Autumns Echo: Butterfly & Floral Doucai Cup

Hand-painted “Two-Fire” Porcelain | Master Chen Xiaoyong (Jingdezhen)

The Three Autumns Echo is a masterful tribute to one of the rarest treasures in the Palace Museum: the Ming Dynasty Chenghua “San Qiu” (Three Autumns) Cup. This vessel captures the ephemeral grace of butterflies dancing among wild autumn flora, translated into the language of porcelain. At ZENTAOEAST, we present this as a “Living Heritage” piece—an object that embodies the quiet, scholarly spirit of the 15th-century Imperial court.

The Alchemy of Doucai: A Dialogue of Two Fires

The word Doucai (斗彩) literally translates to “Contrasting Colors” or “Joined Colors.” It is a sophisticated technique that requires the vessel to survive the kiln twice:

1. The First Fire (Underglaze): The artisan first paints the skeletal outlines of the butterflies and flowers in Underglaze Blue (Qīnghuā). The cup is then glazed and fired at a high temperature (approx. 1300°C), locking the blue ink deep within the porcelain bone.

2. The Second Fire (Overglaze): Once cooled, the “flesh” is added. Master Chen Xiaoyong meticulously hand-fills the blue outlines with soft, vibrant enamels. The cup is then returned to the kiln for a second, lower-temperature firing. This fuses the colors together, creating a breathtaking contrast between the misty blue beneath the glaze and the tactile brilliance on top.

The Poetry of the Butterfly

In the “Three Autumns” motif, the butterfly represents the lightness of being and the rhythmic flow of the seasons.

• The Composition: Following the “Broken Branch” (Zhégū) layout, the design embraces the Zen concept of “Empty Space” (Ma), allowing the mind to rest between the brushstrokes.

• The Palette: By utilizing modern mineral enamels within the traditional Doucai framework, the colors achieve a “moist” and delicate depth that is more resonant and warm than standard industrial wares.

The Hand of the Master: Chen Xiaoyong

This cup is the spiritual labor of Master Chen Xiaoyong, a Senior Arts and Crafts Artist born and raised in the heart of Jingdezhen. Each piece carries the hand-painted imperial reign mark on its base: “Dà Míng Chéng Huà Nián Zhì” (大明成化年制), a respectful bow to the golden age of Chinese porcelain and a guarantee of artisanal integrity.

Curator’s Verdict

“The Doucai technique is the ultimate test of a master’s patience. To paint the same butterfly twice—once in blue ink and once in color—requires a ‘True Heart’ that does not seek shortcuts. I chose this 90ml cup because it feels like a piece of history that has come back to life. It is the perfect companion for The Sovereign Bloom Keemun, offering a sensory experience that is as layered as the tea itself.”

— Richard Zhang, Founding Curator