Northern Song Cizhou Ware Bowl

Northern Song 960 - 1127

A Northern Song Dynasty Cizhou Ware Stoneware Bowl, Probably Hebei Province. This Cizhou bowl has a grey stoneware body which has been washed with a fine thin white slip, a thicker white slip was added to the bowl, most of this is under the creamy white glaze. The interior has five spur-marks, this shows that another pot was placed inside during firing. Space inside a kiln was precious and every inch counted. The foot is high, it flares outwards from the base to give a thinner footring. The base is rather low, it is probably too deep, meaning the clay was thinner in comparison to the area around it. That caused uneven drying which probably resulted in the firing crack to the base.  With an inscribed Japanese wood storage box.

See Below For More Photographs and References.

SOLD

Condition
In very good condition. Very minor friting. Kiln fault ; There is an indentation to the interior of the bowl which was perhaps caused by air in the clay, this burst during firing leaving an indentation.
Size
Diameter 20 cm (8 inches)
Provenance
From a Japanese Collection.
Stock number
26606

Photos

Information

Robert McPherson Antiques - Sold Archive - 24944

A Cizhou Lamp

A Northern Song Dynasty Cizhou Type Pottery Censer or Lamp 11th Century, Cixian Kilns, Hebei Province. This strong shape, presumably based on metal, has sometimes been termed a ‘cupstand’ in some Western literature. However, Chinese sources identify the form as a lamp (deng) or a censer (xianglu). It is thought they were filled with fragrant wood or other aromatic materials, such vessels occasionally appear in the hands of people paying homage to the Buddha in Song paintings. They occur in many Song tombs and indeed the present example has rust stains to the unglazed base, suggesting burial. Condition In good condition, a stained glaze crack to the waisted area of the stem and another underneath the top flange where it meets the body. Size Height 10.8 cm (4 1/4 inches). Provenance An old ink inscription to the inside of the foot. From a Private London Collection of Early Chinese Ceramics, formed between c.1970-1990. References For a very similar Northern Song Cizhou lamp which even has the same type of burial stains to the biscuit body see : Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection Volume 1 (Regina Krahl, Azimuth Editions, 1994) page 261 plate 476. For another similar example dated to the end of the 11th or early 12th century attributed to the Guantai kilns, Hebei province see : Freedom of Clay and Brush through Seven Centuries in Northern China ; Tz'u-chou Type Wares 960-1600 ( Yutaka Mino, Indiana University Press. ISBN 0-253-25575-6) figure 52, page 72.

 

Cizhou Ware  :

A freedom of expression exists in Cizhou ware that is unparalleled by other Song dynasty (960-1279) ceramics. This was a direct result of not being under the control of the court; consequently, the liberty to explore and experiment created an innovative range of designs full of flavour and life unique to Cizhou ware. The utilization of enamelled decorations in tones of vivid reds, yellows, and greens on occasional Cizhou pieces placed it centuries ahead of its time as this was not kosher for early court wares. The ware also displays an amazing dexterity in the sketchily incised patterns which have such a sense of carefree abandon that they appear impressionistic. Today, Cizhou ware is prized for its natural appearance which often reveals the potter’s process from the wheel’s rings, to the inner spur marks, to the unevenly glazed base.

The white stonewares of the Tang dynasty (618-906) produced two extremely influential wares; the first, Ding ware, became the official ware while the second, Cizhou, became the “popular ware” among the varying classes. It was Cizhou wares utilization by society that assured its continuance during political and dynastic changes which extinguished other Song wares; consequently, Cizhou ware is still produced today though the wares created during the Song dynasty are considered to possess an unrivalled spirit. Since Cizhou ware embodies a diverse range of wares not confined to a specific location, kiln complex, or style it is difficult to precisely define its characteristics.

The name Cizhou originated from the ancient area of Cizhou, encompassing a broad arc across China, which was first recorded during the Sui dynasty (581-618). However, the location constantly shifted and though the area of Cizhou is mentioned in the Tang dynasty (618-906) and Five Dynasties (906-960), each referred to an altered location.During the Song, Jin (1125-1234), Yuan (1279-1368), and partly into the Ming dynasties (1368-1644) the kiln areas of Cizhou were primarily concentrated in the northern provinces of Hebei, Henan, and Shaanxi. (By Mindy MacDonald).