Northern Song Dynasty Yaozhou Ware Imperial Gourd Shaped Vase With Fire Gild Bands (World Class)
Beautiful Song Dynasty Yaozhou Imperial Gourd shaped Vase with fire gilded bands around the foot and rim incrusted with reddish cuprite and greenish malachite, this proves its age and is more reliable than a TL test. Has a fine gray stoneware body that is carved with chrysanthemums flowers, and pedals around neck, and base. The Vase is covered with a thick transparent finely crackled olive green glaze, suffused with bubbles that pool around the deeply carved outlines to a darker color. All characteristic of Yaozhou wares from Shaanxi province during 11th 12th century. The Decoration is carved on a angle to promote the pooling effect. The foot was wiped slightly with some glaze, but most remains unglazed and has turned brown in the firing. Vase measures approx. 6 1/2 inches tall ppjrs