Lot 1148. A rare small carved Yaozhou ewer, Northern Song-Jin dynasty (AD 960-1234); 3¼ in. (8.2 cm.) across. Estimate USD 20,000 - USD 30,000. Price realised USD 43,750 © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

The upright sides of the cylindrical body are well carved with two peony sprays below a band of overlapping petals on the canted shoulder that radiate from the base of the small mouth which is flanked by a short spout on one side and a looped, strap handle on the other. The vessel is covered with a clear glaze of dark olive-green color that falls to the edge of the flat, unglazed base.

Provenance: Raymond A. Bidwell (1876-1954) Collection. 
The Springfield Museums, Springfield, Massachusetts, accessioned 1962. 
Christie's New York, 21-22 March 2013, lot 1170.

Literature: The Raymond A. Bidwell Collection of Chinese Bronzes and Ceramics, Museum of Fine Arts, Springfield, Massachusetts, 1965, p. 71.

The present ewer illustrated in The Raymond A. Bidwell Collection of Chinese Bronzes and Ceramics, Museum of Fine Arts, Springfeld, Massachusetts, 1965, p. 71. Image courtesy of Springfeld Museums, Springfeld, Massachusetts.

Exhibited: New York, China Institute in America, Early Chinese Miniatures, 15 March - 29 May 1977, no. 204. 

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 14 - 15 September 2017, New York