A 'YAOZHOU' CARVED EWER NORTHERN SONG DYNASTY

the cylindrical body supported by a spreading foot, with canted shoulders set with a loop handle opposite a curved spout and flanked by two small strap loops, the long waisted neck rising to an everted rim, the exterior carved all around with scrolling peony, covered overall with a thin olive-green glaze stopping at the base

It is most likely that the foot has been slightly reduced and reworked, with a polished out chip to one side. There is an approx. 1cm by 8mm chip to the side of the right side of the body and there are areas of earth encrustation to part of the spout, handle, neck and rim. There is some crackle to the glaze throughout.
"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."

A ewer of similar cylindrical form and two loop handles on the shoulder, in the Yaozhou Ware Museum at Huangpu in Tongchuan, Shaanxi province, was included in the exhibition The Masterpieces of Yaozhou Ware, The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka, 1997, cat. no. 73, together with a jar carved with a similar floral motif, cat. no. 74; two ewers are illustrated in Jan Wirgin, Sung Ceramic Design, Stockholm, 1970, pl. 3a-b, the first in the Baur collection in Geneva, and the second, of slightly broader proportions, from the Avery Brundage collection in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco; and a third example of similar form but carved with a different floral motif, in the Meiyintang collection, is illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 1, London, 1994, pl. 423. Compare also a jar decorated with large blooms, included in the exhibition Song Ceramics from the Kwan Collection, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1994, cat. no. 79.