Tea Bowl and Stand, Yaozhou ware, Song dynasty, 10th-11th century. Stoneware with persimmon glaze, 1 11/16 x 5 9/16 in. (4.29 x 14.13 cm). Gift of Ruth and Bruce Dayton 2000.39.2 © 2015 All Rights Reserved. Minneapolis Institute of Art

This shallow, conical bowl has an elegantly curled rim and a rich rust-colored glaze that thins to reveal a subtle brown underglaze. Best known during Northern Song for their celadon-glazed stoneware, the Yaozhou kilns in Shanxi province also produced black and russet-glazed vessels like this one. These so-called persimmon glazed wares were fired at temperatures slightly higher than the celadons resulting in pieces that are hard and resonant. A vessel like this demonstrates that while famous for its celadon, the Yaozhou kilns also tried to capture some of the developing Song market in brown ware.