A BLUE-GLAZED 'JUN' DISH NORTHERN SONG DYNASTY

the shallow rounded sides rising from a short tapered foot to a wide everted rim, covered overall in a milky lavender-blue glaze thinning to mushroom at the edge of the rim and continuing over the foot ring, the base with five spur marks

J.J. Lally & Co., New York, 1996.
Collection of Robert Barron.
Christie's New York, 30th March 2005, lot 279.

Heaven and Earth Seen Within - Song Ceramics from the Robert Barron Collection, New Orleans Museum of Art, New Orleans, 2000, cat. no. 16.

The dish is in overall good condition. There are a few scattered burst bubbles to the interior and exterior, as well as a few minor iron spots.
"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 flat dish represents a classic Jun type, although its well-controlled opalescent sky-blue glaze makes it especially notable. Considered one of the ‘Five Classic Wares’ (wu da yao) of the Song dynasty, vessels covered in similar glazes and also fired on spurs, were recovered from various kiln sites in Henan province, and included in the exhibition Ceramic Finds from Henan, Art Gallery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1997, cat. nos 58 and 60.

Two similar dishes in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, are illustrated in A Panorama of Ceramics in the Collection of the National Palace Museum. Chün Ware, Taipei, 1999, pls 54 and 55; two with three spur marks were sold in these rooms, the first from the collection of Edward T. Chow, published in Basil Gray, Early Chinese Pottery and Porcelain, London, 1952, pl. 84, sold 16th December 1980, lot 272, and the second, 10th December 1991, lot 133; and a further dish was sold at Christie’s New York, 20th September 2005, lot 212.