Song Dynasty Hutian Kiln Yingqing Glazed Owl Porcelain Sculpture (10th‑13th Century A.D.)

拍品描述

Dimensions：Length 12.8cm (5.04 in), Height 9.7cm (3.82 in), 10th‑13th Century A.D.Condition & Provenance：The sculpture remains largely intact. Fine inherent glaze crackles are visible around eye area. Light yellow‑brown burial encrustation appears on talons and foot edges, no penetrating cracks or later restoration. The glaze carries bright soft luster with pale lake‑blue pooling within recesses. A circular vent hole is preserved on rear body. Natural aged soil patina coats exposed clay sections at feet. Provenance: Private collection, Hong Kong, China. Acquired from a long‑established porcelain dealer in Hong Kong in 2004, stored in private storage ever since and rarely shown in public.Description：This lifelike owl figurine was crafted at Hutian kilns of Jingdezhen, a rare Song‑era animal‑form ceramic ornament intended for scholar‑studio display. The piece depicts an owl standing upright with its head gently turned sideways. Upright ear tufts and well‑defined facial structure deliver a calm solemn expression; hollowed recesses form its eyes. Feather textures all over the body are rendered by combined mold‑impression and hand‑carving techniques. Individual feathers on wings and tail are sharply defined for realistic visual effect. Its powerful talons with distinct sharp claws firmly hold the weight of the whole figure, natural rusty soil residue gathers at glaze‑clay junctions on feet. The sculpture is fully covered in classic Hutian yingqing glaze, delicate bluish‑white with translucent glossy texture. Glaze thickness varies following the contours of the sculpture, deeper pooled glaze settles inside carved grooves and amplifies three‑dimensional relief effect. A round vent opening on the back is a practical kiln‑craft feature, preventing thermal expansion damage during high‑temperature firing, widely adopted for Song animal‑shape ceramics. Unglazed base exposes fine compact white porcelain clay with mottled ancient soil patina. Hutian kilns were celebrated for premium yingqing wares during Song times. Animal‑imitating ceramic sculptures were difficult to fire successfully, and surviving owl examples are exceptionally scarce. This figurine boasts vivid naturalistic modeling and meticulous fine detail work, paired with elegant soft yingqing glaze. It faithfully reflects the aesthetic taste of Song sculptural art. As a precious physical reference for studying Jingdezhen ceramic sculpture and Song folk culture, it holds outstanding artistic and collectible importance.

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