A YAOZHOU PERSIMMON-GLAZED BOWL NORTHERN SONG DYNASTY |

elegantly potted, of shallow conical form, supported on a neatly cut, slightly splayed foot, covered overall in a glossy persimmon-coloured glaze, the knife-pared foot left unglazed revealing a smooth pale greyish-brown stoneware body

The bowl is in good condition, with only a small retouched flake on the rim to the interior, possibly original to the piece, and other insignificant minute flakes. Some surface wear and scratches.
"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."

Best known for their celadon-glazed stonewares, the Yaozhou kilns also made fine stonewares with persimmon glazes, probably inspired by contemporaneous russet-glazed Ding wares. A bowl of similar form from the Muwen Tang collection, included in the exhibition Song Ceramics from the Kwan Collection, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1994, cat no. 86, was sold in our London rooms, 12th April 2003, lot 43; another was sold in our New York rooms, 30th March 2006, lot 39; and a slightly smaller bowl was included in the exhibition The Masterpieces of Yaozhou Ware, The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka, 1997, cat. no. 56. Compare also a larger persimmon-glazed bowl modelled with straight sides, sold at Christie’s New York, 26th March 2003, lot 211, and again in these rooms, 5th April 2016, lot 2864.