An extremely rare Dingyao purple-red glazed teabowl, Northern Song Dynasty (AD960-1127). Estimate HKD600,000 - 700,000 (TWD2,429,000 - 2,834,000) (USD77,400 - 90,300). Photo courtesy Ravenel.

This teabowl has a gently curved belly and a round foot. The white body is comparatively thin, yet smooth and firm. It is covered with glaze inside and out, with the exception of the underside of the foot. The finish is evenly applied, and has a glossy luster free from impurities, giving the bowl an exquisite texture and feel. Purple-red glaze is a relatively rarely seen type of finish in Ding ware, and was praised even in Song dynasty poetry, showing how highly it was valued by people at that time. MD: 11.5 cm

PROVENANCE: Old Private Hong Kong Collection

Ravenel Spring Auction 2015 Hong Kong. Literati Sublimation - Oriental Arts for the Chinese Scholars. Tuesday, June 2, 2015, 3:30 PM. Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel Boardroom, Mezzanine Floor, 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong