JIN DYNASTY (1115-1234)

Ovoid jars of this type, with these distinctive small, ringed mouths, are termed xiaokou ping (small-mouthed bottles) and were probably sealed with a fabric-wrapped wooden dowel and used for storing wine and other liquids. Typically dark-glazed, such bottles are often painted in russet or rust-brown slip with abstract floral decoration or designs suggestive of birds in flight, rendered in vigorous, calligraphic strokes. A bottle of this type, painted distinctly with stems of chrysanthemum, from the collection of Robert E. Barron III, M.D., was sold at Christie's New York, 30 March 2005, lot 303.