A 'JIZHOU' WHITE-SPOTTED BLACK-GLAZED JAR YUAN DYNASTY

the elegantly potted ovoid body with broad rounded shoulders, finely decorated with rows of white spots on a glossy dark brown ground, stopping short of the foot, with two lug handles applied to the shoulder below the short neck

Collection of Francisco Capelo.

Francisco Capelo et. al., Forms of Pleasure. Chinese Ceramics from Burial to Daily Life, London, 2009, pl. 53.

Theis rare jar is in good overall condition with the exception of some firing imperfections including a 2.5cm., slight depression to the body below the handle, a 14cm., concave line running horizontally around the waist of the body, minor glaze pulls, glaze holes, burst glaze bubbles, small blisters and a slightly warped mouth rim.
"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 attractive spotted pattern, also known by its Japanese name temmoku, seen on the present jar, can be found on a variety of 'Jizhou' wares, suggesting that it was an especially popular motif in the potters' repertoire. For examples of jars decorated in this manner see one with a rounded body and a wide neck illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 3, pt. II, London, 2006, pl. 1555; and another compressed globular jar sold in these rooms, 19^th June 1984, lot 200. Meiping can also be found decorated in this manner, but with the evenly distributed spots generally arranged in diagonal spirals towards the foot; see a meiping sold in these rooms, 13^th July 2005, lot 139; and another sold at Christie's London, 14^th December 1987, lot 168.

Compare also a 'Jizhou' bowl, in the Hakutsuru Art Museum, Kobe, illustrated in Hakutsuru eika, n.p. 1978, pl. 48 bottom; another in the Tokyo National Museum published in  Sekai toji zenshu, vol. 10, Tokyo, 1955, pl. 64; and one sold in these rooms, 19^th June 2002, lot 27. See also a 'Jizhou' tripod censer in the Idemitsu Museum of Arts, Tokyo, published in Idemitsu Bunkakan zohin zuroku, Tokyo, 1987, pl. 105.