Song Dynasty Jian Kiln Persimmon-Red Glazed Hare’s Fur Tea Bowl (12th Century)

拍品描述

Dimensions:Height 5.5 cm (2.17 in); diameter 9 cm (3.54 in); 12th–13th centuryCondition & Provenance:Overall in good preserved condition, with a well-balanced profile and no obvious major cracks, hairlines, or significant losses visible. The persimmon-brown glaze and radiating hare’s-fur markings remain well preserved, with natural age-related surface wear and minor traces of use. The foot and lower body are partially unglazed, retaining firing, trimming, and long-term collection characteristics. Provenance: Private collection, Hong Kong, retained in the collection for more than fifty years.Description:This tea bowl is formed in the classic Jian ware constricted-rim profile, with the mouth gently drawn inward and a subtle ridge just below the lip, rounded sides tapering smoothly toward the base, and a low, substantial foot ring. The proportions are compact, balanced, and comfortably functional, reflecting the type of vessel closely associated with the whisked-tea and tea-competition culture of the Song dynasty. The interior and exterior are covered with a rich persimmon-brown Jian glaze ranging from warm reddish brown to deeper chestnut tones. The glaze is substantial and softly lustrous, thinning along the rim to reveal a slightly lighter brown edge. The most dramatic feature appears inside the bowl, where dense blue-black hare’s-fur streaks radiate upward from the central well toward the rim. These elongated markings vary naturally in width, length, and intensity, spreading from a dark concentrated center into increasingly fine linear trails across the warm brown ground. Some streaks merge into heavier dark bands, while others remain exceptionally slender, giving the surface a strong sense of movement and depth. Near the upper walls and rim, the glaze is further enriched with minute golden-brown crystalline specks, adding another layer of texture above the darker radiating lines. The exterior continues in the same warm persimmon-brown glaze, which flows naturally down the rounded sides and terminates above the foot, creating a clear transition to the exposed body below. The foot is unglazed and reveals the dense iron-rich brown body characteristic of Jian ware. The trimming is direct and functional, with natural hand-finishing and firing traces preserved around the base. Jian tea bowls occupied a particularly important place in Song tea culture, where their dark surfaces provided an ideal visual setting for the pale froth of whisked tea. Hare’s-fur decoration became one of the defining kiln effects of Jian ware, celebrated for its spontaneous vertical streaking and dramatic surface movement. This bowl is especially appealing for the interaction between its uncommon persimmon-brown ground and strongly radiating blue-black hare’s-fur markings, creating a bold but balanced contrast that captures both the practical spirit of Song tea culture and the expressive beauty of Jian kiln transformation.

图片