北宋 耀州窰青釉花口尊

with the compressed globular body rising to a slightly waisted neck opening into a wide, six-lobed rim with down-turned petal tips, covered overall with an olive-green glaze

Overall good condition except for a few minute glaze flakes to the mouthrim. There are also some typical firing imperfections and some nicks to the unglazed foot.
"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."

Three zhadou of similar form, excavated at the 'Yaozhou' kiln site, are illustrated in The Yaozhou Kiln Site of the Song Period, Beijing, 1998, pl. LXVIII, with line drawings on p. 256, fig. 128.  Another zhadou in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, is illustrated in Suzanne G. Valenstein, A Handbook of Chinese Ceramics, New York, 1989, pl. 76.

A closely related Yaozhou zhadou, but of moulded petal 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. 71, was sold in our London rooms, 12th November 2003, lot 54.