Tea bowl with green leaf pattern

Description

Among the most rare and celebrated products of the Jizhou kiln in central Jiangxi Province, China are the “tree-leaf pattern” bowls of the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279). A beautiful pattern is created by placing a leaf on the interior bowl surface before applying the glaze; during firing the leaf turns to ash, creating an image of a golden leaf in the black glaze, as seen in this contemporary Japanese tea bowl and in UMMA 1965/1.155. The technique is extremely difficult to achieve, requiring the perfect combination of skill in applying the glaze and circumstances in the kiln. Over the centuries potters have tried without success to duplicate this process.