Southern Song Dynasty Rare Tenmoku Glazed Oil Spotted Jian Tea Bowl (From a Vietnamese Royal Family) - This ceramic tea bowl is of conical form and is decorated with a rich black Tenmoku glaze and displays striking blue "oil spots". This oil spot effect happened occasionally when the kiln temperatures began to fall while glazes were still boiling, causing the iron-rich spots to be fixed to the piece before they could run down into streaks. The spots crystalized as magnetite creating the celebrated oil spot effect. Jianware bowls with true oil spot glazes are incredibly scarce and are highly sought after by collectors around the globe. This piece comes from the estate of a Vietnamese Royal Family (the family now lives in the United States, and wishes to remain private as they still have relatives living in Vietnam). Measurements: 1.5"H x 3.5"W