East Asia, China, Song Dynasty, ca. 960 to 1279 CE. An exceptional ensemble of three wheel-thrown pottery bowls, uniquely featuring natural shell and barnacle embellishments from centuries spent on the ocean floor. All boasting a lovely shade of celadon, each of these fine vessels is set on a ring-shaped foot with thin walls that spread outwards to a wide, annular rim. A gorgeous sgraffito floral motif adorns the basin of each ancient dish. Bowls like these were some of China's most important exports during the Song period, and were admired and emulated in Korea and Japan. These objects were fired in "dragon kilns" - long brick tunnels that rose up a slope to provide slow and even heating. Archaeologists estimate that up to 25,000 vessels would be made at once in the largest of these kilns! The market for bowls like these included the scholar-gentleman class, sometimes known as the literati. These were made for everyday use and religious ceremonies (placing offerings on altars, for example). These particular bowls were evidently preserved at the bottom of the ocean, perhaps the result of a shipwreck! Size (all about the same): 6.75" W x 2.75" H (17.1 cm x 7 cm)

Provenance: ex-van Dies estate, Maui, Hawaii, USA, acquired before 2000

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#161023

Heavy shell and barnacle deposits on each. Nicks and chips to rims. Mineral deposits and encrustations. Otherwise, intact and excellent.