A 'JIAN' HARES-FUR TEABOWL SONG DYNASTY

the conical sides rising from a short straight foot to an indented flaring lip, covered overall with a lustrous black glaze suffused with russet streaks, the base with a two-character mark Gongyu

The bowl is in overall good condition. It has very light overall rubbing and few minor scratches to the glaze.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

It is rare for Jian ware bowls to bear an inscription on the base, and those with one or two character inscriptions possibly belonged to a group that represented the finest wares especially made to be presented to the court. The two characters on this piece 'Gongyu' may be interpreted as 'imperial tribute'. 

For a similar bowl with a 'Gongyu' mark, see R. Mowry, Hare's Fur, Tortoiseshell and Partridge Feathers, Cambridge Massachusetts, 1995, cat. no. 76, where the author suggests that the bowl probably comes from the kilns at Shuiji, Jianyang County, Fujian Province. Another related bowl with the rare mark 'jinzhan' was included in the exhibition Kilns and Conquerors, Chinese Ceramics from the 10th to the 14th Century, Priestley and Ferraro, London, November 2001, cat. no. 22.