Biography

Liu Yu (留余) is a contemporary Jian Zhan maker associated with Shuiji in Jianyang. The name 留余 appears on documented pieces and is especially connected with bright green Jian Zhan that differs visually from the darker oil-drop and hare’s-fur surfaces more commonly associated with the tradition.

Craftsmanship

Documented work is hand formed through centering, pulling, shaping and trimming, using an iron-rich body and natural mineral glaze. The finished vessel depends on the relationship between form and surface: the bowl remains simple enough for the glaze color and crackle structure to carry the visual emphasis.

帝王绿玉子 · Emperor Green Jade

帝王绿玉子 is the clearest named work associated with Liu Yu. The cup uses a vivid jade-green glaze with fine depth and variation, creating a strong contrast with tea liquor in use. Current market documentation under the 留余 name also includes ice-crackle Emperor Green and tea-dust glaze on dragon-egg forms.

Marks & Identification

Documented base marks include 留余, 吉 and 供御-style presentation marks. Because more than one mark form appears, the mark should be considered together with the vessel, certificate or packaging.

Jian Zhan Tradition

Jian kiln/Jian Zhan firing is a nationally recognized intangible-cultural-heritage craft. Liu Yu’s work belongs to the modern Jianyang continuation of that tradition while using a particularly vivid green contemporary glaze vocabulary.

References