Chinese Qinbai Ceramic Lotus Cup From The Southern Song Dynasty (1128-1279).

An extremely rare Qinbai ceramic bowl from the kilns of the Southern Song Dynasty (1128-1279). The interior is decorated with stylized lotus motifs incised into the bowl. This bowl testifies to the absolute mastery of the potters of that distant era, who achieved a magnificent glaze of a light blue-green, tending towards white at the rim. The stylized lotus is typical of this period and was often created using a bamboo stem. Centuries spent protected, likely underground, have resulted in crackling across almost the entire bowl, giving it a unique and timeless appearance. The crackling becomes increasingly pronounced towards the rim. The short, straight foot features a thicker glaze of a more intense blue-green. The inside of the foot is left unglazed to allow the piece to be placed in a wood-fired kiln without damaging the glaze. Note that this bowl has a rare shape and is in perfect condition. To see similar items, search the auctions at Christie's, Sotheby's, and Bonhams.