南宋 吉州玳瑁釉茶盌

the deep rounded sides flaring out from a narrow flat foot, covered overall with a glossy dark brown glaze accented with random milky white splashes transmuting to a café-au-lait tone, all finishing just above the knife-pared foot, the base left unglazed revealing the buff body

日本舊藏

There are two minor cracks to the glaze running from the rim. A small area of the rim has been restored with repainting, to cover damage. There are minor imperfections and small chips to the foot, otherwise good. The glaze is more lustrous and glossy than in the catalogue photo.
"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."

The splashed decoration on this Jizhou tea bowl is rare, but closely related to a type known in Japan as 'speckled deer', where the decoration consists of more evenly spaced spots arranged in concentric circles. For a 'speckled deer' bowl in the Tokyo National Museum, see Ceramic Art of the World, vol. 10, Tokyo, 1955, pl. 64. Another example was sold in our London rooms, 19th June 2002, lot 27.