A RARE 'CIZHOU' GREEN-GLAZED PAINTED VASE (MEIPING) NORTHERN SONG / JIN DYNASTY

of elegant form with rounded shoulders tapering down to a narrow foot, the short waisted neck widening to an everted lip, finely painted in black with full peony blossoms framed by slender leaves, applied with a thin green glaze stopping evenly above the unglazed foot revealing the buff body

Formerly in a private Japanese collection.

The vase is in good condition and showed no fluorescence when inspected under UV light. There is a 1/4 inch glaze pull on the body, along with tiny scattered pinholes. The glaze is slightly degraded, showing some iridescence and craquelure. Tiny nibbles on the foot rim, and a small air bubble on the base. The colors are consistent with the catalogue image.
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.

Cizhou vessels with painted designs under a green glaze are extremely rare, although fragments of a green-glazed meiping painted with different designs have been recovered from the main Cizhou kiln site at Guantai in Hebei province, see The Cizhou Kiln Site at Guantai, Beijing, 1997, col.pl. 30, fig. 3. Two green-glaze meiping of different proportions in the Palace Museum, Beijing, are illustrated in Porcelain of the Song Dynasty (I): The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 1996, pls. 151 and 153.