A RARE INSCRIBED 'JIAN' 'HARE'S FUR' BOWL SONG DYNASTY

well-potted body with deep rounded sides rising from a short straight foot to a lip bordered with a thin concave groove, covered overall with a lustrous black glaze suffused with russet 'hare's fur' streaks extending from the rim down the interior and exterior, the glaze terminating in thick drops short of the foot revealing the purplish-brown stoneware body, the base inscribed with two characters jin zhan

Acquired from a Guangzhou tea connoisseur's collection in the 1970s. 

The bowl is in good condition, the surface with expected wear.
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.

Inscribed Jian ware bowls are rare and those with one or two character inscriptions on their base possibly belonged to a group that represented the finest wares made for tribute or court use. The two characters on this piece 'jin zhan' are discussed in an article by Marshall P.S. Wu, "Black Glazed Jian Ware and Tea Drinking in the Song Dynasty", Orientations, April 1998, pp. 22-31. The author notes that the jin zhan marks are always incised and that the "calligraphic quality of the 'Jin Zhan' inscriptions is considered superior to that of the more frequently encountered but casually executed, 'Gong Yu' examples." (ibid. p. 25)