PROVENANCE:
Sotheby's New York

With the rise of tea ceremony and regular tea preparation competitions during the Song Dynasty, tea utensils, in particular that of the black glaze variety, gained in popularity and became an important product of Chinese kilns both north and south. The Huairen Kiln, a producer of such tea utensils, was located in Shanxi Province’s Huairen County. In The Comprehensive Records of the Great Ming Dynasty (Da Ming Yitong Zhi) is recorded: The Jinping Mountain lies 25 li southwest from Huairen Prefecture, and of old there was a pottery kiln there. In terms of clay composition and glaze coloring, as well as shape and design, Huairen ware tended to imitate the craftsmanship of Fujian’s Jian Kiln.

This relatively shallow bowl has rounded sides and a short round foot. Black glaze has been applied to its outer and inner walls, extending to the bottom part. The glazing is smooth and glossy, and textured with rust-colored tears. The foot has a thin layer of iron-colored glaze in deliberate imitation of Jianyao ware. Overall, this item shows a charming decorative pattern and sophisticated design, while the lustrous quality of the shimmering dark glaze adds a dynamic and vibrant note. The irregular dotted pattern is reminiscent of a vast and starry night sky, a poetic touch that leaves one to ponder the boundless depths of the universe. In spite of its age, the bowl is in an excellent condition, making it a worthy addition to the Song Dynasty Huairen ware collection of any avid tea drinker.