Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279)

Finely potted, covered overall with a rich glaze streaked with fine 'hare's fur' markings on both the exterior and interior, the thick glaze stopping above the foot, revealing the white stoneware body. The stand with conforming lobed rim, recessed at the center, with fine 'hare's fur' markings and the glaze stopping above the foot rim.

Bowl, H. 1 1/4 in., D. 2 3/4 in.

Note: Jian ware is a type of Chinese pottery originally made in Jianyang, Fujian province and some pieces were known in Japan as 'Tenmoku'. Jian bowls with hare’s fur streaks were held in great esteem not only in China but also in Japan. It was simple stoneware, made with subtle effects in the glazes. In the Song dynasty they achieved a high prestige, especially among Buddhist monks and in relation to tea-drinking. They were also highly valued in Japan, where many of the best examples were collected. Though the ceramic body is light-colored, the wares normally are glazed in dark colors, with special effects such as the "hare's fur" "oil-spot" and "partridge feather" patterns caused randomly as excess iron in the glaze is forced out during firing.