Pair of Song Dynasty Yaozhou Kiln Celadon Mould‑Printed Floral and Swimming‑Fish Conical Teacups (10th‑13th Century A.D.)

拍品描述

Dimensions：Each cup mouth diameter 9.8cm (3.86 in), height 4.2cm (1.65 in), 10th‑13th Century A.D.Condition & Provenance：The matched pair is fully intact, without cracks, chips or modern restoration. The glaze remains lustrous and well‑preserved. Relief mould‑printed patterns on inner walls stay sharp and distinct. Natural unaltered kiln rust and reddish firing discoloration on foot rings are original, only minimal gentle wear along rims accumulated over centuries of usage. Provenance: Former private collection of a Hong‑Kong‑based ancient porcelain collector. Acquired at Toronto International Asian Antique Fair in 2012, passed down privately within one family. This pair was only shown in private exhibitions dedicated to northern Song celadon and has never been offered in public auctions.Description：This matched pair of fine conical teacups originates from the famous northern Chinese Yaozhou celadon kiln of the Song Dynasty, classic drinking wares for Song‑style whisked tea and tea competitions. The two cups bear different interior decorations: one displays densely moulded intertwined chrysanthemum blossoms with full lush petals, while the other features swimming fish gliding across rolling wave patterns, carrying the auspicious meaning of surplus and prosperity year after year. They adopt canonical conical douli shape with widely flared rim, walls sloping sharply downwards to a small neat foot ring. Two subtle shallow horizontal grooves decorate the exterior close to the rim. The silhouette is open‑flowing and elegant, comfortable to hold in hand. Uniform olive‑toned celadon glaze fully coats interior and exterior surfaces, smooth and glossy. Glaze thickness varies across the relief patterns, generating natural tonal contrast which makes printed designs stand out vividly. Unglazed foot rings reveal hard‑fired body clay with characteristic Yaozhou reddish‑brown firing discoloration and yellowish kiln stains from stacking firing, key diagnostic features for authentic Yaozhou ware. Mould‑printed conical teacups represent celebrated Song ceramics, surviving matched pairs with differing decorative themes are quite uncommon. This set exhibits perfectly regular well‑proportioned forms, crisp full‑bodied printed motifs, authentic celadon color tone. Its base characteristics closely match excavated Song‑period shards recovered from the Yaozhou kiln site in Shaanxi Province. Boasting excellent overall preservation, the pair works wonderfully for tea appreciation, interior display and academic ceramic study, holding great collectible value and widely admired by Song‑porcelain specialists throughout North America and Asia‑Pacific regions.

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