A FINE AND RARE 'JUN' BLUE-GLAZED TRIPOD CENSER NORTHERN SONG/JIN DYNASTY

the compressed globular body raised on three short tapering legs, the short broad neck culminating in a wide angled galleried rim, covered overall with a lightly crackled and slightly translucent lavender-blue glaze of even tone with a fine glossy surface extending over the interior and exterior and completely covering the base, thinning at the rim, the tips of the feet left unglazed

Sotheby's New York, 31st March 2005, lot 31.

One foot has been drilled for testing and filled, and there are also some glaze inconsistencies on the neck.
"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."

Striking for its large size, this censer is outstanding for its fine body and luminous pale blue glaze. Jun wares are characteristically coated in a thick glaze full of millions of tiny air bubbles; however the glaze on this piece is comparatively thin and features a delicate network of crackles to bear closer resemblance to the imperial Ru and Guan wares than the more common heavily-potted and glazed wares made in the Dayu kilns of Linru county. Such resemblances suggest that this censer is a particularly remarkable example of Jun ware, perhaps made in imitation of or in competition with Ru.

A censer of similar form and size, from the collection of Mrs Enid Lodge, was sold twice in these rooms, 13th February, 1955, lot 69, and 10th December 1968, lot 88; and a slightly larger censer, but attributed to the Yuan dynasty, was sold in these rooms, 13th December 1988, lot 113, and again at Christie’s New York 19th September 2006, lot 212. Censer of this form are more commonly known in smaller size and thicker glaze; see one in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Selection of Jun Ware, Beijing, 2013, pl. 27; and another in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, published in A Panorama of Ceramics in the Collection of the National Palace Musem. Chün Ware, Taipei, 1999, pl. 63.