A fine and rare small carved 'Ding' jarlet Northern Song Dynasty

finely potted, the ovoid body with high angled shoulders and short straight neck, freely carved with two lush lotus blossoms borne on a single meandering stem, applied overall with an even ivory-white glaze, pooling to a darker tone in the recesses and finely combed details of the leaves and petals, the neck and part of the foot left unglazed showing the fine white body beneath, together with a gilt-metal cover in the form of a leaf issuing a small flower bud (2)

There is a fine unrestored hairline crack running from a small restored 8mm or smaller chip on the mouth to the foot of the vessel, but apart from this and a few minor nicks to the top of the unglazed part of the mouth rim (not noticeable when fitted with the cover), the overall condition is still quite good. There are a couple of natural minor potting flaws on the exterior. The glaze remains even in tone throughout.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

'Ding' vessels of this form are extremely rare and the present piece is exceptional for its elegant shape, fine glaze and naturalistic carving. See a jar of related rounded body but with a thin foot, the sides engraved in both single and double outlines with a lotus scroll design, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in the Special Exhibition of Ting Ware White Porcelain, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1987, cat.no. 14; another also with a foot, in the Yuegutang collection, illustrated in Regina Krahl, Yuegutang. A Collection of Chinese Ceramics in Berlin, Berlin, 2000, pl. 149; and a third plain example with a 'Ding' lotus-leaf cover, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, published in Rose Kerr, Song Dynasty Ceramics, London, 2004, pl. 41.

A 'Ding' jar of closely related form but decorated with a design of undulating lines suggesting overlapping lotus petals carved through the iron brown slip on the body, was included in the exhibition White Porcelain of Ding Yao, Nezu Institute of Fine Arts, Tokyo, 1983, cat.no. 148.

Compare also a carved 'Ding' jar, from the collection of Stephen Junkunc III, sold at Christie's New York, 21st September 1995, lot 168; and another, 2nd June 1994, lot 268.