Lot 219. A rare carved ‘Cizhou’ ‘peony’ jar and cover, Northern Song dynasty (960-1127); 12.5cm., 4 7/8 in. Estimate 25,000 — 35,000. Lot sold 290,500 GBP. Photo: Sothebys.

the ovoid body rising from a recessed base to a short neck, deeply carved through the creamy-white slip into the straw-coloured ware with a wide band of peony blooms borne on undulating leafy stems, all below overlapping pendent lappets around the shoulder, applied overall with a thin ivory glaze, the interior glazed dark brown, the domed cover similarly decorated with a stylised floral medallion, Japanese wood box. Quantity: 3.

Provenance: A Japanese Private Collection, acquired in the 1970s.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, London, 06 Nov 2013