Warming Bowl

China, C.11th century

Description
Warming Bowl
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Period

Northern Song dynasty (960-1126)

Dimensions

H. 12.4 cm ; D. 17.5 cm

Materials

Stoneware with vegetal decoration moulded under ivory and blue cover

Condition

Chip on the rim of the mouth

Description

The large size of the bowl suggests that it is a warming bowl. It probably accompanied an ewer that contained a warm liquid; the bowl, also filled with hot water, allowed the drink to be kept at a certain temperature for longer. The presence of six spur marks inside the bowl supports this hypothesis, as they may have been used to fire the ewer inside.

The decoration of intertwined flowers pattern inscribed in medallions of foliage is reminiscent of some Jingdezhen productions.

Provenance: Josette Schulmann collection, Paris, 1960-1970

Reference:
Bonhams Hong Kong, The Feng Wen Tang Collection of Early Chinese Ceramics, 9th Oct. 2014. Lot 157.
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/22320/lot/157/?category=list&length=12&page=5