A celadon glazed melon-form ewer, Song dynasty. Photo: Courtesy of Bonhams.

Molded with stepped ridges at the join of the waisted neck to the body of ovoid melon form with incised parallel lines accenting the mid-section, applied and incised leaves accenting the bases of the graceful spout and strap handle with a tiny loop at the top, the craze-filled glaze of qingbai type visible on the interior neck and all of the exterior except for the four large spur marks left in the glaze across the flat base. 12 1/4in (31cm) high. Estimate US$ 3,000 - 5,000 (€2,200 - 3,700)

Provenance: acquired in Japan in the 1970s 

For a similar ewer in the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka, retaining its original cover and the remains of four spur marks visible across the flat base, see Stacey Pierson (ed.), Qingbai Ware: Chinese Porcelains of the Song and Yuan Dynasties, London, Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, 2002, cat. #63, pp. 124-125, as 11th/12th century, 25.8cm high.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE WORKS OF ART. San Francisco. 17 Dec 2013