NORTHERN SONG DYNASTY (960-1127)

The Ding kiln is known as one of the five classic kilns of Song dynasty, celebrated for its exquisite white wares. Its distinctive ivory-white hue glaze had been treasured by many, including the emperors and scholar-officials. The present lot features a single line decoration at the shoulder; this choice of minimal embellishment underscores the technical skill and craftsmanship of the Ding kiln. It emphasizes the refined quality of the body material while reflecting the refined aesthetics characteristic of the period.

It is rare to find Ding wares in a form similar to the present lot, as the more commonly observed forms are typically dishes and bowls. Compare to a Ding ewer with a longer neck with a lobed body and a dragon-form spout, is in the collection of the National Palace Museum, collection number: guci014212N (fig. 1). For a more closely related example to the present lot in form, see a celadon-glazed ewer and cover from the Northern Song dynasty, in the collection of the National Museum of History, Taipei, accession number: 85-00679.