A SMALL 'OIL SPOT' BOWL SONG – JIN DYNASTY |

the shallow rounded sides rising from a straight foot to a lipped rim, covered overall in a lustrous black-brown glaze attractively suffused with iridescent silvery-brown 'oil spots' of varying sizes, the glaze stopping short of the neatly-trimmed footring, revealing the unglazed buff grey body, Japanese wood box inscribed by Ryoichi Fujioka

The bowl is in good condition with just typical firing imperfections.
"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."

Bowls of this form and with this attractive ‘oil spot’ glaze are discussed by Robert D. Mowry in the catalogue to the exhibition Hare’s Fur, Tortoiseshell, and Partridge Feathers. Chinese Brown-and Black-Glazed Ceramics, 400-1400, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 1996, pp. 149 and 150, where it is suggested that they were made at kilns in Northern China, in imitation of the popular Jian tea bowls made in Fujian province. The author further notes that the ‘oil spot’ effect on these bowls was achieved by adding a layer of black slip under two layers of iron-rich dark brown glaze.  A similar bowl from the Sir Percival David Collection, now in the British Museum, London, was included in the exhibition Imperial Taste. Chinese Ceramics from the Percival David Foundation, British Museum, London, 1989, cat. no. 9; two in the Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, were included in the exhibition Hare’s Fur, Tortoiseshell, and Partridge Feathers, op.cit., cat. nos 43a and b; another bowl was sold in our New York rooms, 15th September 2015, lot 8; and a further one was sold in these rooms, 5th April 2017, lot 1102.