NORTHERN SONG DYNASTY (960-1127)

Ding bowls of this large size and form are very rare. A closely related example carved with three fish swimming amidst waterweeds, measuring 26.7 cm. diam., was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 28 May 2014, lot 3212. The exterior of the 'fish' bowl is similarly decorated on the exterior with freely carved daylillies, although with the application of an additional combed detail design. The closest example of the present bowl of this decorative design and of a flat base is in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Porcelain of the Song Dynasty (I), The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 1996, p. 63, no. 55 (24.5 cm. diam.).

Although the elongated petals of the flowers on the present bowl appear to be similar those often accepted as daylillies, the broad unfurled leaf with serrated edges would probably suggest that these are lotus flowers. A comparable carved design is found on the interior of a waisted dish, dating Northern Song to Jin period, published in Decorated Porcelains of Dingzhou, White Ding Wares from the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2014, pp. 88-89, pl. II-42, illustrated with a line drawing. Two other related examples of these large bowls potted with high sides, both without foot rings, are illustrated, ibid., p. 136, fig. II-85 and p. 137, fig. II-86. Both these cited bowls are 12.5 cm. high whilst the present bowl is 13 cm. high.