Far East, China, Longquan, Song Dynasty, ca. 1127 to 1279 CE. A simple and beautiful bowl produced by Chinese Imperial state-owned and operated kilns. A textured exterior and smooth interior give this bowl a modern appearance; it sits on a short, round foot. Size: 6.7" W x 2.75" H (17 cm x 7 cm)

Longquan celadon ceramics are known for their varying shades of either blue, blue green, or olive green as we see in this example. These were some of China's most important exports during the Song period, and were widely imitated in Korea and Japan. The body was thrown on a potter's wheel and the color of the glaze that covers all but its foot comes from iron oxides fired in a reducing atmosphere. 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 were the scholar-gentleman class, sometimes known as the literati; these were made for everday use, religious ceremonies (placing offerings on altars, for example), and sometimes were buried with their owners. Their beauty spawned legends; for example, the few that made their way to Europe were sometimes turned into goblets with the aid of metal components because of a belief that their glaze would change color in the presence of poison.

Provenance: Ex- Private Singapore collection

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