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Zhu Bishan
Late Yuan silversmith from Weitang in Jiaxing, known for raft-shaped silver wine cups, one of which is dated 1345
A craft workshop centres on a potter's wheel holding a tall celadon vase, amid racks of red lacquer boxes, an embroidery frame with a floral design, shelves of celadon ware, carved wooden panels and stacked logs, while one craftsman works at a table and another stands at a glowing kiln.
Also known as Zi Huayu
- Roles
- Master Craftsmen
Zhu Bishan, courtesy name Huayu, came from Weitang in Jiaxing, Zhejiang, and worked in the late Yuan, keeping a workshop in the Suzhou area noted for fine gold and silver. He cast silver wine cups in the form of an immortal riding a log raft, engraved with verses and dates, and these were prized by Ming and Qing collectors. About four signed raft cups survive, in the Palace Museum, the National Palace Museum in Taipei, the Wuzhong Museum in Suzhou and the Cleveland Museum of Art. The Palace Museum cup is inscribed as made by Zhu Bishan of Weitang in 1345 and bears his seal Huayu.
Life and times
Dates Dates unknown; active in the Zhizheng era of the Yuan (1341–1368)