Lot 121. A rare marble-glazed bowl, Song Dynasty (960-1279); 17.3cm diam. Sold for HK$128,000 (Est: $100 000 HKD - $150 000 HKD) © Bonhams 2001-2023

Of rounded sides slightly flaring at the rim supported on a straight broad ring foot, covered inside and out with a marbled straw and dark brown glaze, depicting a seamless pattern of six-petal florets, the geometric lines of dark brown clay evenly layered against a beige clay ground forming the petals, box. (2)

Provenance: Christie's Hong Kong, 27 November 2019, lot 3060

Note: The present lot showcases the interpretation of the marbling technique, which first appeared in the Tang dynasty. This technique involves layering or folding together different-coloured clays in a manner that they remain distinct yet harmoniously intertwined. The method is carefully calculated allowing for control over the design, therefore the precise pattern of the evenly distributed florets on the present bowl is unparalleled.

Compare a related bowl of floral blooms with multiple layers of petals below rows of overlapping leaves of similar size (diam. 16 cm.), also dated to the Yuan period, excavated in Shenmu county, Shaanxi province, and illustrated in Yang Peijun ed., Ceramics: Selected Treasures of Shaanxi History Museum, 2003, no. 111.

Bonhams. SUBTLE BEAUTY THE AESTHETICS OF SONG DYNASTY, 29 November 2023, Hong Kong, Admiralty