A FINE 'XING' YAO WHITE GLAZED GLOBULAR JAR FIVE DYNASTIES PERIOD

the finely potted body with smoothly rounded sides gently tapering towards a flat foot, the short neck with a thick lipped rim, applied overall with a milky-white slip beneath a translucent green-tinged glaze pooling to a greenish tint at the double line incised around the shoulder and stopping just before the foot

 

The jar is in very good overall condition with the exception of some minor potting and glaze firing imperfections; a vertical 3cm. hairline glaze scratch to the side of the body; and a shallow 8mm wide flake to the inside edge of the footring. It should be noted that the glaze is of a slightly more creamy-white tone than the catalogue would suggest.
"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."

'Xing'  was amongst the finest ceramic wares available in China during the Tang and Five Dynasties period. It was the first true porcelain, with a pure white body and a highly glossy glaze, often with a bluish tinge due to the reduction firing in a kiln fired with wood. The 'Xing' kilns in Lincheng and Neiqiu counties in Hebei province were, however, mainly renowned for their production of tea bowls and bowl stands. Jars of this elegant globular form are extremely rare.

The present jar is also unusual for its small delicate size. For examples of larger jars of related globular form, see one excavated from the site of the Daming Palace in the Tang capital Chang'an, present Xi'an in Shaanxi province, illustrated and discussed in Wenwu, 2002, no.4, front cover and pp. 83f; and another was sold in our New York rooms, 27st March 2003, lot 39.