East Asia, China, Song Dynasty, ca. 960 to 1279 CE. A beautiful pottery bowl presenting a ring-form foot and impressively thin walls that spread to a conical body and a flared rim, all enveloped in a lovely glaze of pale sage. Liberal remains of incised decoration adorn the interior walls. Note the remarkable marine encrustations that embellish the surface naturally formed from centuries spent on the ocean floor! Size: 6.9" Diameter x 2.8" H (17.5 cm x 7.1 cm)

Bowls like this example 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, religious ceremonies (placing offerings on altars, for example), and sometimes were buried with their owners. This particular bowl was evidently preserved at the bottom of the ocean, perhaps the result of a shipwreck!

Provenance: private Lumberton, Texas, USA collection, acquired before 2010

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#170248

Chipping with minor losses to rim. Expected nicks, abrasions, and softening of incised detail. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice marine deposits and lovely craquelure.