East Asia, China, Song Dynasty, ca. 960 to 1279 CE. A wonderful pottery bowl presenting a ring-form foot and impressively thin walls that spread to a conical body and a flared rim, all enveloped in a lovely glaze of pale sage. Liberal remains of incised decoration adorn the interior walls. Note the remarkable marine encrustations of shells and barnacles, naturally formed from centuries spent on the ocean floor! Size: 6.9" Diameter x 3.4" H (17.5 cm x 8.6 cm)

Bowls like this example were some of China's most important exports during the Song period and were admired and emulated in Korea and Japan. These objects were fired in "dragon kilns" - long brick tunnels that rose up a slope to provide slow and even heating. Archaeologists estimate that up to 25,000 vessels would be made at once in the largest of these kilns! The market for bowls like these included the scholar-gentleman class, sometimes known as the literati. These were made for everyday use, religious ceremonies (placing offerings on altars, for example), and sometimes were buried with their owners. This particular bowl was evidently preserved at the bottom of the ocean, perhaps the result of a shipwreck!

Provenance: private Lumberton, Texas, USA collection, acquired before 2010

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#170245

Chipping with minor losses to rim. Expected nicks, abrasions, and softening of incised detail. Otherwise, intact and excellent. Thick marine deposits inhibit dish from sitting flatly on its foot.