Early Longquan Yue-Type Octagonal Jar and Cover, Northern Song Dynasty, 960-1127 A.D., China. Height: 17.5cm. © Zetterquist Galleries.

A stoneware jar of octagonal faceted form with high shoulders and tapered neck, originally influenced by metalwork forms. There are two loops on the top of the shoulders and a foliate-form stopper lid. The eight facets of the body are separated by a raised ridge, and are lightly incised overall with overlapping floral depictions. The body and lid are covered with an ideal minty blue-green translucent celadon glaze (minor surface scratching overall and one lobe of the lid repaired). From Zhejiang, and although very much in Yue-yao style, probably from the Longquan Kilns. Compare to a molded Yue-yao example about 100 years later, published in “New Light on Chinese Yue and Longquan Wares”, University of Hong Kong, 1994. Pg. 344, pl 4I, from dated tomb 1031-1127, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu. In the Song, this form was copied by Yaozhou and Qingbai kilns. Also, compare to a thrown piece of the same period, but with carved petals in “Inaugural Exhibition of the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, England” pl. 41. For a ewer of identical decoration and carving and color, see MeiYinTang Collection Volume three, fig. 1412, with detailed commentary by Regina Krahl.

Provenance: Private American Collection

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