A PERSIMMON-COLOURED STONEWARE TEA BOWL NORTHERN SONG DYNASTY, 11TH/ 12TH CENTURY

with nearly straight conical sides and a narrow domed centre, resting on a low foot, covered with a reddish-brown glaze turning dark brown at the rim and leaving the foot and most of the base free, revealing the pale grey stoneware body



in Japanese ivory silk pouch (shifuku) with matching silk cushion and four corner posts, ribbon-tied paulownia-wood box and cover, and brown cotton furoshiki with inscribed wooden tag

Collection of George de Menasce (1890-1967) (no. 258).
Spink & Son, London.
Mayuyama & Co. Ltd, Tokyo.

Sung Dynasty Wares. Chun and Brown Glazes, Oriental Ceramic Society, London, 1952, cat. no. 126.

Mostra d'Arte Cinese/Exhibition of Chinese Art, Palazzo Ducale, Venice, 1954, cat. no. 553.

The George de Menasce Collection, part II, Spink & Son, London, 1972, cat. no. 247.

 

Kōyama Fujiō, Tōji taikei [Outlines of ceramics], vol. 38: Temmoku, Tokyo, 1974, pls 26 and 27.

Ryūsen Shūhō/Mayuyama, Seventy Years, Tokyo, 1976, vol. I, pl. 626.

This rare bowl is in good condition with the exception of a tiny rim chip (4 x 1mm.) and a slight inconsistency to the glaze, whereby some areas are matt and others glossy.
"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."

This persimmon-coloured glaze became popular in the Northern Song dynasty particularly at the 'Yaozhou' kilns of Shaanxi and the 'Ding' kilns of Hebei, and may have been devised to imitate contemporary reddish-brown lacquer ware. This stark, conical shape epitomizes the Song spirit of uncompromising simplicity.