This is a Song Dynasty ceramic ewer, exhibiting the characteristic simplicity and elegance of the period. The ewer's form is sturdy with a full-bodied base that tapers gently to a narrow neck, expanding again at the mouth. The handle is gracefully arched, complementing the smooth, elongated spout. Its cream-colored glaze is understated yet luminous, with subtle vertical lines suggesting a segmentation that adds to the visual texture. Such pieces are highly valued for their refined aesthetic and the technical mastery they represent in ceramic art from the Song era, often reflecting the balance between functionality and artistic beauty.
Period : Song dynasty(960-1279) Type : Creamy-white ding yao glaze Ewer Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong Height : 17.8cm Condition : Excellent Reference : 1) THE MET Accession Number:18.57.1 (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/49214) 2) Sotheby's London 2018 <St George Street Sale> Asian Art Lot 208
* Song Dynasty Cream-glazed Ware
Song Dynasty cream-colored glaze pottery, often referred to as Ding ware, is celebrated for its elegant simplicity and subtle beauty. The glaze is typically an ivory or warm white tone, known for its smoothness and lustrous, almost satin-like finish. These ceramics may feature incised or molded decorations, but the ornamentation is generally restrained, allowing the pure form and quality of the glaze to dominate. The glaze often pools slightly in crevices, accentuating the piece's contours. The body beneath the glaze is usually fine and white, made from a high-quality kaolin clay. Song Dynasty potters were adept at achieving a thin, uniform glaze that adheres tightly to the body, which would sometimes show a fine crackle pattern, highly prized among collectors and connoisseurs.
