SONG DYNASTY, 12TH CENTURY

The designation of Lishui type refers to the shape, the heaviness of the potting and the deft, abbreviated carving of the design, as well as the translucency and olive color of the glaze which are more like those of Northern celadon wares, rather than the opaque blue-green glaze of the Longquan celadons of the South, showing the early influence of Northern celadon wares on those of the South. Excavated shards of this type of ware come from a site within the Longquan district. A very similar vase was included in the exhibition, The Postan Collection of Early Chinese Ceramics, Bluett & Sons, London, 1972, no. 13.