A Junyao blue-glazed 'bubble' bowl Northern Song dynasty | 北宋 鈞窰天藍釉小盌

Eskenazi Ltd, London, 15th February 1991.

埃斯卡納齊，倫敦，1991年2月15日

Junyao ware is the most flamboyant of the major wares of the Song dynasty. It is exceptional also because its basic, bright sky-blue glaze colour derives not from a pigment but from an optical illusion – indeed not unlike the blue of the sky – as minute spherules of glass in the glaze are scattering blue light. The red derives from a copper-rich pigment applied to the blue glaze, which is difficult to control in the firing and thus particularly unpredictable in its outcome. This chance effect is part of the ware’s attraction, making every piece unique, with individual patterns and tonal variations created as if by nature.

Junyao ware is also unusual among the important Song wares in being thickly potted, thus lending itself to simple shapes. Among the various Junyao bowl shapes, perhaps the most delightful is that of these small bowls, probably used for wine, with their well-rounded, plump and pleasing forms, elegant in profile because of the small foot and in-turned lip, appealing to hold in one’s hands and to drink from.