A RARE 'CIZHOU' SGRAFFIATO 'PEONY' VASE NORTHERN SONG DYNASTY

the rounded sides rising from a spreading foot to a tall cylindrical neck and everted rim, freely carved through the layer of brown slip to the ivory layer beneath with three large peony blooms borne on a meandering leafy scroll, all above a lappet band at the base, covered in a transparent glaze

Collection of Joseph Homberg.
Sotheby's London, 19th July 1949, lot 16.

There is a ca. 12cm long area of repair to the rim where it has broken in to two pieces. There is also a small chip and associated crack near to this area and a ca. 26cm crack running down the body below this which is filled from the shoulders downwards. There is also a faint crack running through the foot rim and crazing to the glaze in various areas of the body.
"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."

Some of the most attractive Cizhou ware produced at the Cizhou kilns in northern China are arguably those decorated in this impressive and vividly contrasting black-and-white sgraffiato style, which was created through the application of two layers of slip. A layer of black slip was applied over white slip, which was later carefully incised and cut away to reveal the pristine white layer beneath and then covered by a layer of clear glaze. The confident bold lines of carved design, together with the colour scheme, are reminiscent of calligraphy and ink paintings and thus vessels such as the present would have been highly sought after by the literati.

Compare three slightly smaller vases of this form and similarly decorated with a peony scroll sold in these rooms: the first from the collections of William C. Alexander and Alfred Clark, 25th March 1975, lot 14, now in the Matsuoka Museum of Art, Tokyo, the second, 3rd July 1956, lot 17, and the third, 9th June 1992, lot 135.