Bowl

About this object

History of use

The most common shapes in Early Chun Ware were bowls, dishes saucers, jars, and vases. This bowl is of the in-curving type is known as a bubble bowl. Later examples were much larger and heavier, with red or purple splashes, and usually in the shape of massive flower pots.

Narrative

Acquired in London.

Specific techniques

The bluish colour of the glaze is due to the presence of small quantities of iron oxide, combined with the use of reduction firing, that is the exclusion of oxygen from the kiln. The glaze is characterized by a great many tiny trapped bubbles, creating opacity, yet surface smoothness and glossiness.

Physical description

A ceramic bowl that swells out from a small unglazed foot ring and that curves inward at the rim. Exterior is of light blue glaze, semi-translucent, minutely pitted, with smooth subdued gloss. Opaque where pooled in thickening edge above foot. Pulls away slightly at rim, showing light brown body. Interior has similar glaze thickly pooled at centre bottom. Paper label on glazed base reads "Marchant, London, Song 960-1279".