A ‘CIZHOU’ ‘JULUXIAN’ BOWL SONG DYNASTY

the deep rounded sides rising from a neatly cut foot to a gently flaring rim, the interior with six vertical raised ribs radiating from the centre, covered in a white slip that stops well above the foot, and a milky, translucent glaze, revealing the greyish body at the foot, suffused with a network of golden-beige crackle

Mathias Komor, New York, 1958.
Bluett & Sons Ltd, London, 1958 (£25).
Collection of Roger Pilkington (1928-69), from 1959 (£45).

The overall condition is good, except for typical minor firing flaws. The unglazed footring also has some expected shallow flakes.
"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."

With its pleasing proportions, milky white slip and crazed transparent glaze, this piece is closely related to a group of early 'Cizhou' wares recovered from Juluxian, a Song dynasty town in Hebei province that was flooded and destroyed by the Yellow River in AD 1108. Wares from this site are generally plain with attractive red-stained crazes, which were formed due to a prolonged exposure to the reddish-yellow earth of the area.

A slightly larger bowl of this type, similarly modelled with a tall foot, from the Gustav Lindberg collection, was sold in our London rooms, 12th December 1978, lot 137; and another was sold at Christie’s London, 5th April 1976, lot 12.