A very rare Yaozhou teabowl, Tang dynasty (AD618-907). Estimate HKD80,000 - 120,000 (TWD324,000 - 486,000) (USD10,300 - 15,500). Photo courtesy Ravenel.

It is well known that the Yaozhou kiln is most renowned for its celadon ware. This kiln was established during the Tang dynasty, and at first produced mainly plain or white-glazed ceramics with splashes of black. This lot is a Tang Yaozhou teabowl with a wide mouth, rounded belly, and circular foot. The body is unglazed, but the bowl's inside is decorated with a black ink floral design of six blossoms whose stems meet roughly in the floor's center. This is a lot emanating the classic elegance characteristic of Tang dynasty teaware. MD: 12 cm

PROVENANCE: Old Private Hong Kong Collection

Ravenel Spring Auction 2015 Hong Kong. Literati Sublimation - Oriental Arts for the Chinese Scholars. Tuesday, June 2, 2015, 3:30 PM. Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel Boardroom, Mezzanine Floor, 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong