Black-glazed Lion Pillow, Northern Song-Jin Dynasty

This bowl stands out for its detailed depiction of two fish amid soft spiral waves, bordered by two cranes within the bowl. The design's depth and clarity, from the lifelike portrayal of the landscape to the cranes' meticulously detailed features, render this piece exceptionally unique and rare. Such complex designs on bowls were achieved using a mold, a method initiated at the Ding kilns in the late 11th or early 12th century, enabling heightened precision. These molds, akin to those for metal vessel casting, reflect a shared design aesthetic with contemporary metal objects. Period : Northern Song-Jin dynasty(960~1234) Type : Dingyao Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s, Hongkong Dimension : 19 cm(Height) x 8cm(Diameter) Reference : 1) Sotheby's Hongkong 29 April 2022 - Important Chinese Art including Jades from the De An Tang Collection and Gardens of Pleasure - Lot 3695, Lot 3603 (Price : 1,890,000 HKD / Type : Closely related) 2) Sotheby's Hongkong 08 October 2019 Important Chinese Art - lot 3612 (Price : 3,000,000 HKD / Type : Related) 3) Sotheby's Hongkong 22 April 2021 - Monochrome III - Lot 30 (Price : 6,000,000-7,000,000 HKD / Type : Related) 4) The MET - Accession Number: 14.40.155 - Bowl with Peonies (Type : Closely Related) * Song Dynasty Ding-Yao Ware Song Dynasty Ding Yao porcelain holds a significant place in Chinese ceramic art, specifically as a type of white porcelain produced during the Song Dynasty. Produced predominantly during the mid to late Song Dynasty, Ding Yao ceramics are renowned for their delicate and intricate features. Ding Yao ceramics were primarily crafted from clay rich in white minerals and fired at high temperatures to achieve a durable and lustrous surface. One distinctive characteristic of this serene white ceramic is the presence of silver or gold-colored splashes of glaze, often created using a mineral called galena. Galena, with its lustrous appearance, was suitable for creating fine patterns and intricate decorations. These ceramics frequently feature delicate carvings, floral motifs, or subtle decorations. While commonly used for utilitarian purposes such as tableware, Ding Yao porcelain also served as a medium for artistic expression, producing many artworks. The production of Ding Yao ceramics was relatively limited, and surviving pieces are considered rare and valuable art pieces...

The jar is covered with a deep, warm blackish-brown glaze. The glaze is smooth and even, with a soft sheen. The foliate rim has a gentle, wave-like design that gives the jar a natur...

Mandarin ducks symbolize eternal love and fidelity in East Asian culture, often representing marital harmony as they are believed to mate for life. Reishi mushrooms, known as symbols of longevity and health, are revered in traditional Asian medicine for their association with immortality and have been used for centuries to promote vitality and strengthen the immune system. The orange glaze is commonly found on Cizhou-type tiger pillows. The attached materials indicate that this tiger pillow is from the same period and shares the same color tone as the one housed in the Baoji Bronzeware Museum, a national museum located in Shaanxi Province. Considering the glaze color, painting style, and shape, it is speculated that this piece was used by the imperial court. Period : Jin-Song Dynasty(12-13th century) Type : Pillow Medium : Cizhou Ware Size : 28 cm(Width), 30cm(Vertical), 16cm(Height) Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong Reference 1) Christies Hongkong 9 OCT 2019 - The Pavilion Sale - Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Including the Quek Kiok Lee Collection (Price realised : HKD 225,000 / Type : related) 2) The Baoji Bronzeware Museum, Shaanxi Province - Tiger Cizhou Pillow...

The oviform body is divided into few lobes. All covered in a finely crackled pale olive-green glaze. The surface and glaze characteristics are definitive, confirming the authenticity...

on fitted wooden base (base is included with this item); 3in(D) x 8in(W) x 9.5in(H) are the dimensions of the pottery piece only (not including the wooden base); provenance: collecti...

A Chinese Song period celadon glazed bowl. Petal form rim and hand-carved decoration to the interior. Really nicely thinly potted example with cra...

A Chinese Song period celadon glazed bowl. Petal form rim and hand-carved decoration to the interior. Really nicely thinly potted example with cra...

A Chinese Song period celadon glazed bow, with hand-carved decoration to the interior. Really nicely thinly potted example with craquelure due to age. P...