Cizhou Kiln White-Ground Black Painted and Polychrome Covered Meiping Vase with Figural, Deer and Crane Scenes (Northern Song to Jin Dynasty, 11th–13th Century)

拍品描述

Dimensions: Height 32.7 cm (approximately 12.9 inches, approximately 1.07 feet); Northern Song to Jin Dynasty (11th–13th Century) Cizhou Kiln ceramicCondition & Provenance: The vase remains in good overall condition with its original pagoda-form cover preserved. The surface displays natural age-related crazing, earthy deposits, and an authentic aged patina developed over centuries. The exposed foot reveals a thick northern kiln clay body with a simple and traditional finish. Provenance: Private Collection, Florida, USADescription: This covered Cizhou kiln meiping vase represents an outstanding example of large decorative ceramics produced in northern China during the Northern Song and Jin dynasties. The vase features a tall and elegant profile with a small mouth, short neck, broad rounded shoulder, tapered lower body, and foot ring, complemented by its original pagoda-form cover topped with a finial. The balanced proportions reflect the classic meiping form favored during the period. The entire surface is covered with creamy white slip beneath a transparent glaze, creating a warm appearance with naturally developed fine crazing from centuries of aging. Black painted bands divide the decorative sections in a carefully organized composition. The cover is decorated with pearl-ground scrolling floral motifs, accented with iron-red details, while the rim features radiating chrysanthemum petals and the finial is finely painted with layered decoration. The shoulder area is filled with pearl-ground floral patterns, representing a signature decorative style of Cizhou wares. The main body features framed narrative scenes: one side depicts a scholar accompanied by a symbolic deer beneath pine branches with flying bats, representing blessings and prosperity; the other side portrays a scholar holding a staff alongside a crane among garden scenery, symbolizing longevity. The artist used bold black outlines with iron-red accents to create expressive figures, animals, landscapes, and botanical elements, reflecting the distinctive charm of northern Chinese folk painting. The lower section is decorated with orderly chrysanthemum petals, creating harmony with the upper composition. The exposed foot reveals a yellow-gray clay body with a sturdy texture, simple finishing, natural earth deposits, and signs of age consistent with northern kiln production. Combining pearl-ground decoration, figural storytelling, black and red painted techniques, and a complete original cover, this vessel represents the artistic achievement and folk aesthetic of Cizhou kiln ceramics.Description (Original): This vase features a classic tall and elegant silhouette with a small mouth, short neck, broad shoulder, tapered lower body, and foot ring, accompanied by its original pagoda-form cover with finial. The complete preservation of the cover makes it a rare large decorative example from the Cizhou kiln tradition. The entire surface is coated with creamy white slip beneath a transparent glaze, with natural fine crazing developed over centuries, creating a warm and aged appearance. Multiple black painted bands divide the decorative areas in a balanced composition. The cover features a pearl-ground background with scrolling floral designs, iron-red accents on the petals, radiating chrysanthemum motifs along the rim, and carefully painted layered details on the finial. The shoulder is decorated with scrolling sunflower-like floral motifs, while the main body contains framed narrative scenes: one side depicts a scholar with a symbolic deer beneath pine branches and flying bats, representing blessings and prosperity; the other shows a scholar holding a staff accompanied by a crane, symbolizing longevity. The artist used black outlines with iron-red accents to create expressive figures, lively animals, and atmospheric landscapes, reflecting the strong character of northern Chinese folk painting. The lower section is decorated with orderly chrysanthemum petals, creating visual balance with the upper scenes. The exposed foot reveals a yellow-gray clay body with a thick texture, simple finishing, and natural earth deposits consistent with northern kiln production. The combination of pearl-ground decoration, narrative figural scenes, black-and-red painted techniques, and the original cover makes this an exceptional example of Cizhou painted ceramics.

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