Lot 826. A rare Cizhou sgraffiato vase, yuhuchunping, Northern Song-Jin dynasty (960-1234); 4 3/8 in. (11.4 cm.) high. Estimate USD 20,000 - USD 30,000. Price realised USD 87,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2018.

The pear-shaped body is carved through the white slip to the pale beigish-grey ground with a wide band of floral scroll beneath a band of stylized key-fret at the shoulder and above decorative leaf bands above the foot, all under a clear glaze that falls in an irregular line towards the foot ring, Japanese wood box.

Japanese wood box.

Note: Cizhou sgraffiato vases of this yuhuchunping shape with the decoration carved through a white slip rather than a dark brown glaze appear to be quite rare. One of similar type, also with the decoration arranged in bands around the body and neck, is illustrated in Song Ceramics from the Kwan Collection, Hong Kong Museum of Art, 1994, no. 197.

Christie's. Masterpieces of Cizhou Ware: The Linyushanren Collection Part IV, New York, 13 September 2018