An impressive 'Cizhou' sgraffito brown-glazed globular vase, Jin dynasty. Photo 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. Height 10 1/2 in., 26.7 cm. Estimation: 40,000 - 60,000 USD. Lot. Vendu 50,000 USD

PROVENANCE: Sotheby's New York, 19th March 2008, lot 77.

NOTE DE CATALOGUE: The present vase is a remarkable example of the complex sgraffito 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 sgraffito technique sold in these rooms, 21st September 2006, lot 98.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York | 11 sept. 2012, www.sothebys.com