Southern Song Dynasty (12th–13th Century) Jian Kiln Black Glazed Splashed-Color Jianzhan Tea Bowl

拍品描述

Dimensions: Diameter 12.1 cm (4.8 inches), Height 6.8 cm (2.7 inches), 12th-13th century, Weight unknown. Condition and Provenance: This bowl is well-preserved, with a balanced shape, full body, and rich iron content. Both the interior and exterior surfaces exhibit rich kiln-transformation splashed-paint effects. Natural signs of aging are visible on the base and body. Provenance: Private collection, New York, USA. Description: This Southern Song Dynasty Jian ware black-glazed splashed-paint tea bowl is a classic tea utensil in Song Dynasty tea ceremony, specifically made for the refined tea culture and tea tasting competitions of the time. The bowl is thick and rich in iron, with a deep, dark black glaze adorned with colorful kiln-transformation patterns, making it one of the most distinctive decorative features of Jian ware. This piece follows the classic constricted mouth shape of Jian ware, with a slightly flared rim and a clear tapering line below the mouth. The body is full and rounded, with a low and wide foot. The foot rim employs the traditional Jian ware technique of "shoulder-broken ring," preserving natural traces of trimming and maintaining balanced proportions for easy grip when brewing tea. The exposed foot rim showcases the unique iron body of Jian ware, exhibiting a deep, dark brown color and a firm, robust texture. It retains natural trimming details, traces of clay accumulation, and reddish-brown kiln marks left from the firing process. The glaze flows naturally to the foot rim, forming unique glaze droplets, but does not cover the bottom. The entire vessel is covered in a rich, glossy black glaze. Tiny gold spots adorn the black glaze surface, like scattered gold grains, while large, irregular splashes of color naturally diffuse outwards from the center. The glaze displays a vibrant interplay of red, orange, yellow, blue, and green, forming cloud and band patterns with delicate crackle textures. The glaze is thinner at the rim, exhibiting a warm brown tone, harmonizing the interior and exterior decorations. These striking decorations were entirely created through high-temperature firing, rather than painting. During the Song Dynasty, Jian ware black-glazed tea bowls were highly prized for their dark glaze, which accentuated the white foam of the tea, and were frequently used in tea ceremonies. This particular tea bowl combines gold-speckled glaze with vibrant kiln firing effects, making it more dynamic than ordinary Jian ware tea bowls with rabbit fur or oil-spot patterns. With its complete shape, rich glaze variations, and authentic Jian ware characteristics, this tea bowl showcases both the practical elegance of Song Dynasty tea culture and the artistic achievements of ancient Chinese ceramics.

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