Yuan Dynasty (14th Century) Jun Kiln Sky-Blue Glazed Conical Bowl Preserved with Original Firing Saggar

拍品描述

Dimensions: Overall height 13.5 cm (5.31 in). Saggar diameter 26.5 cm (10.43 in). Approx. 0.87 ft., 14th century. Weight unknown. Condition and Provenance: This Jun ware bowl and its original coarse clay saggar are well-preserved, retaining kiln firing marks, soil deposits, and firing residue. The glaze is well-preserved, with no obvious cracks or peeling. The exposed foot and firing marks clearly reflect the original kiln firing conditions. Provenance: Private collection in Hong Kong, formerly owned by a European collector of ancient Chinese ceramics. Description: This exquisite Yuan dynasty Jun ware bowl preserves its original coarse clay saggar. The bowl is 13.5 cm high and the saggar diameter is 26.5 cm. It is a rare example of original kiln-fired ceramics preserved to this day. The outer shell is a complete cylindrical saggar, a special refractory vessel used in ancient Jun ware firing. The saggar is made of coarse refractory clay, revealing a pale yellow body, layers of dark brown and charcoal-black kiln soot marks, and soil deposits naturally formed underground over hundreds of years. The thick rim, sturdy walls, and traces of hand-rotation reflect the standard firing techniques of northern kilns during the Jin and Yuan dynasties. The saggar and bowl remain separate as they were before firing, without any later joining, preserving the original appearance of ancient ceramic firing. The interior of the saggar is a typical Jun ware conical kiln interior, with a wide flared rim, sloping sides, and a neat foot ring. The bowl is covered with a thick, sky-blue Jun glaze, the color of which is soft with a faint lake-blue hue, naturally crackled, and exhibiting subtle kiln patterns. The glaze displays the warm, opaque texture characteristic of Jun ware, while still showing traces of residual glaze and support marks left from the firing process. The lower part of the vessel is glazed, while the upper part, protected by the saggar, remains unglazed, reflecting the traditional Jun ware top-firing technique. The foot rim is exposed, revealing traces of trimming and a rough, clay-like texture. This is an extremely valuable piece for Chinese ceramic collectors and scholars.

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