Lobed Bowl

960

1279

8cm

12.3cm

HKU.C.1955.0157

This bowl has rounded sides, the exterior carved with lotus petals, covered overall with an even olive-green glaze. The olive-green glaze with small cracks shown by the bowl is known as Celadon or greenware. Because of its olive-green colour, Celadon wares could resemble Jade, one of the most valuable materials in the Song Dynasty. Celadon ware was notably regarded by the Chinese Imperial court and has a high value, with Celadon wares from Longquan kilns in Lishui, Zhejiang province being the most representative one. There is also a belief that Celadon wares would break or changes their colour if they are in contact with poisoned food, that is one of the reasons why some bowls and dishes are made of Celadon. Celadon production is invented by the Chinese which supplied the Southern Song court after the collapse of the Northern dynasty in 1127 and exported to East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Islamic world.

This bowl does not contain any engraving or decorations, which shows the style of pottery in the Song Dynasty which is the brilliant feldspathic glazes over a stoneware body and emphasizes the simplicity of form.