LATE NORTHERN SONG DYNASTY, 11TH-EARLY 12TH CENTURY

Dotted motifs are among the most common forms of decoration associated with the major kiln site of Guantai in Southern Hebei province from the latter half of the tenth to mid-twelfth centuries. A number of similar bowls dated to the first half of the twelfth century have been recovered from Guantai. See, Wenwu, 1990:4, p. 10, pl. 19, and a line drawing, p. 9, fig. 18:18, and Wenwu, 1964:8, p. 41, fig. 8:3. A similarly decorated small jar from the collection of Dr. Paul Singer is illustrated by Y. Mino, Freedom of Clay and Brush through Seven Centuries in Northern China; Tzu'chou Type Wares, 960-1600 A.D., Indianapolis, 1980, p. 115, along with a bowl similar to the present example, recovered from a Song site in Zhuluxian, p. 114, fig. 117. Another bowl, very similar to the Barron bowl, in the Ashmolean Museum is illustrated by M. Tregear, Song Ceramics, New York, 1982, p. 13, fig. 4.