A Tortoise-Shell Glazed Tea Bowl, Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 AD). Photo Stockholm Auktionsverk

the conical sides rising from the knife-pared foot to the finger-grooved rim, covered inside and out with dark brown splashed with translucent yellow-brown in imitation of tortoiseshell, the glaze stopping just short of the foot to expose the light-grey stoneware, diameter 11.5 cm; wear. Estimate SEK 30 000-35 000 (€ 3 600-4 200)

Thermoluminescence Report from Laboratory Ralf Kotalla, 3 September 2012, (1100 years +/- 20%)

PROVENANCE: Swedish private Collection

LITERATURE: Compare with; Christie's catalogue, "Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art", 19 September 2006, New York, lot 207

Stockholm Auktionsverk. Fine Art & Antiques.  4-6 December 2012. http://auktionsverket.com