Bowl
Chinese
Description
Subject Matter:
A Longquan celadon bowl of the Southern Song (1127-1279) to Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), with two fish molded in the interior. Bowls with this motif were mass-produced at the Longquan kilns during this time period. Fish in Chinese is pronounced yu, which is a homonym for abundance, thus a fish motif is a wish for abundance.
Longquan is the most representative, widespread, and esteemed ware of the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279). Production started during the Five Dynasties period (907–960) at the kilns near the market town of Longquan, where in later dynasties much of the ware was collected for shipping. Technological advances, such as the development of a multi-chambered, rising kiln and the use of stacked saggars (protective clay boxes), allowed for increased production in the Southern Song. In Yuan (1279–1368) and Ming (1368–1644) times, the kilns supplied wares to a domestic market as well as to overseas markets in Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia.
Physical Description:
A small stoneware bowl on a foot ring with everted flat rim. The interior is molded with two fish and covered in a green celadon glaze. There is significant loss to rim and sides.
Usage Rights:
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