This bowl stands out for its detailed depiction of two fish amid soft spiral waves, bordered by two cranes within the bowl. The design's depth and clarity, from the lifelike portrayal of the landscape to the cranes' meticulously detailed features, render this piece exceptionally unique and rare. Such complex designs on bowls were achieved using a mold, a method initiated at the Ding kilns in the late 11th or early 12th century, enabling heightened precision. These molds, akin to those for metal vessel casting, reflect a shared design aesthetic with contemporary metal objects.
Period : Northern Song-Jin dynasty(960-1234)
Type : Dingyao
Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong
Dimension : 19 cm(Height) x 8cm(Diameter)
Condition : Good (There were mild cracks along the gilted areas, but they were firmly repaired)
Reference :
1) Sotheby's Hongkong 29 April 2022 - Important Chinese Art including Jades from the De An Tang Collection and Gardens of Pleasure - Lot 3695, Lot 3603
(Price : 1,890,000 HKD / Type : Closely related)
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2022/important-chinese-art-including-gardens-of-pleasure-erotic-art-from-the-bertholet-collection-and-jades-from-the-de-an-tang-collection/a-rare-moulded-dingyao-boys-bowl-northern-song-jin
2) Sotheby's Hongkong 08 October 2019 Important Chinese Art - lot 3612
(Price : 3,000,000 HKD / Type : Related)
https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2019/important-chinese-art-hk0894/lot.3612.html
3) Sotheby's Hongkong 22 April 2021 - Monochrome III - Lot 30
(Price : 6,000,000-7,000,000 HKD / Type : Related)
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/monochrome-iii/an-exceptionally-large-and-rare-dingyao-fish-basin
4) The MET - Accession Number: 14.40.155 - Bowl with Peonies
(Type : Closely Related)
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/52031
* Song Dynasty Ding-Yao Ware
Song Dynasty Ding Yao porcelain holds a significant place in Chinese ceramic art, specifically as a type of white porcelain produced during the Song Dynasty. Produced predominantly during the mid to late Song Dynasty, Ding Yao ceramics are renowned for their delicate and intricate features.
Ding Yao ceramics were primarily crafted from clay rich in white minerals and fired at high temperatures to achieve a durable and lustrous surface. One distinctive characteristic of this serene white ceramic is the presence of silver or gold-colored splashes of glaze, often created using a mineral called galena. Galena, with its lustrous appearance, was suitable for creating fine patterns and intricate decorations.
These ceramics frequently feature delicate carvings, floral motifs, or subtle decorations. While commonly used for utilitarian purposes such as tableware, Ding Yao porcelain also served as a medium for artistic expression, producing many artworks. The production of Ding Yao ceramics was relatively limited, and surviving pieces are considered rare and valuable art pieces today.
Ding Yao porcelain occupies a crucial position in the history of Chinese ceramic art, offering insights into the artistic and technological achievements of the Song Dynasty. The surviving pieces of Ding Yao ceramics are highly prized as they provide a glimpse into the artistic and technological achievements of the Song Dynasty.
