coupe en grès junyao chine, dynastie song (960-1279)

la forme évoquant un délicat bouton de lotus, reposant sur un court pied évasé, le pourtour et l'intérieur recouverts d'une belle glaçure caractéristique bleu ciel allant vers le pourpre, la couverte s'arrêtant au-dessus du pied découvrant l'oxyde orangé du grès, la base émaillée, boîte japonaise en bois (2)

Acquired from Mayuyama Ryusendo, Tokyo.

The vessel is in overall good condition with the exception of several filled-in/retouched shallow glaze flakes to the rim. There is s 1x1.5cm wide unglazed area to the inside rim (just visible in the catalogue illustration. There is a pin-head sized burst glaze bubble to the side of the pot and a 1x0.5cm large iron spot near the foot (visible in the catalogue illustration). The colour of the glaze is slightly richer than the catalogue illustration suggests.
"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."

Together with 'Guan', 'Ge', 'Ru', and 'Ding' wares, 'Jun' ware forms one of the five famous wares of the Song dynasty as defined by collectors of later periods. The thick unctuous glaze often ends in thick drops just above the foot and is ideally suited to the simple, fluid vessel forms. With its well-proportioned form resembling a lotus bud covered on the interior and exterior with a beautifully rich pale blue glaze the present waterpot is a fine example of this type of ware.

'Jun' lotus bud waterpots of this elegant form and distinctive glaze are held in major public and collections worldwide; compare, for example, a lotus bud water pod, formely in the collection of the British Rail Pension Fund, sold in these rooms, 12th December 1989, lot 85; another example in the Meiyintang Collection is illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 1, London, 1994, pl. 393. compare also a also a fine 'Jun' lotus bud waterpot sold in our London rooms, 12th May 2005, lot 145.