Bowl

About this object

History of use

Tea-drinking in China was a pleasant pastime long before it was introduced into Japan in the 12th century. For the Japanese tea ceremony, an aesthetic ritual of major importance from the early 15th century, tea bowls of Chinese manufacture such as this example were highly regarded. They exemplified the valued quality of quiet simplicity.

Narrative

Acquired in London.

Physical description

Small bowl with a flat unglazed base; oval grey-yellow body and rounded lip. The exterior is glossy dark brown-black glaze with blue and brown streaks, pooling to a thick black. The lower body and base have a dark slip. The interior glaze pulls away from the lip, then is similar to the exterior except for large splashes of bright but matte red-brown, randomly placed. Paper label on bottom reads "Spink and Son Ltd."