Lot 77. A 'Cizhou' sgraffiato brown-glazed globular vase, Jin dynasty (1115-1234); height 10 1/2 in., 26.7 cm. Estimate 25,000 — 35,000 USD. Lot sold 31,000 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

the globular body finely carved down to the dramatically contrasting beige-colored body, with two registers of thick foliate scrolls bordered by paired lines, the stems issuing large leaves with rounded silhouettes, the lower section plain and encircled by parallel lines, the canted lip supported on the short neck, the foot rim left unglazed.

Note: The present vase is a remarkable example of the complex sgraffiato technique with the design carved through the brown glaze to achieve this sharply contrasting effect. The design on this vase is closely comparable to that found on a slightly larger vessel of this type illustrated in Chinese Ceramics in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1987, pl. 129. See also a vase of taller form with related carving sold in our London rooms, 14th November 2000, lot 14; and a vessel with a somewhat bolder flower design in the same sgraffiato technique sold in these rooms, 21st September 2006, lot 98.