Page 153 - Sotheby's Arcadian beauty Song Pottery Oct. 3, 2018

The serenity of the form and glaze of this washer embodies Dishes of similar form were produced at a number of kilns;
the fresh aesthetic of the scholar-officials of the Song dynasty see a Guan example, from the collection of Stephen Junkunc
(960-1279) which was characterised by simplicity, modesty III, sold at Christie’s New York, 22nd March 2007, lot 385; and
and naturalism. The luminous glaze, delicately draped over again in these rooms, 5th April 2017, lot 1106; and another
the body to complement its graceful silhouette, draws from from the Lord Cunliffe collection, sold at Christie’s Hong
the rim and pools gently in the well in an effect that simulates Kong, 30th April 2001, lot 648. Compare also Ding versions
ice on a bright winter’s day. Such reference to nature is of this dish, but with a much narrower foot, such as a brown-
also indicated by its lobed form which resembles a flower, a splashed black glazed example, from the collection of Mr and
popular shape in ceramics and lacquerware for its association Mrs Alfred Clark, Idemitsu Museum of Arts and Francisco
with longevity and a fulfilling life. The gently lobed rim and Capelo, sold four times at auction, in 1975, 2002, 2010 and
attractive angled form reflects the close dialogue between most recently in these rooms, 3rd October 2017, lot 4, from
monochrome lacquer and ceramics during this period. the Le Cong Tang collection; and a Ding-type persimmon-
glazed dish, from the Harry Nail and Hans Popper collections,
Longquan celadon washers of this type are rare; see one,
sold in our New York rooms, 13th/14th September 2016, lot
the glaze of a slightly greener tone, included in the exhibition
107.
Longquan Ware: Chinese Celadon Beloved of the Japanese,
Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum, Nagoya, 2012, cat. no. 53;
and another covered with a bluish-green glaze with light brown
crackles, sold at Christie’s London, 10th December 1990, lot
114A, and again in our New York rooms, 23rd March 2011, lot
510.

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