Qingbai Bowl with Carved Babies and Foliate Design, Southern Song Dynasty
(1127 – 1279), Dia. 19.4 cm
A large porcelain bowl with an exquisitely carved scene of two boys frolicking amongst foliage, (peonies of pomegranate type). The masterful carving is done both with pointed and wedged instruments. The entire bowl is covered in an idyllic pale blue translucent glaze, leaving only the underfoot unglazed, revealing a white porcelain body with shadow of the cylindrical kiln support on which it was fired. The rim is about half covered with its original silver band, now partially degraded. Chips to foot rim. See similar examples in Shanghai People’s Press Compendium of Chinese Ceramics vol. 16, Song-Yuan Qingbai, pl. 103. Also, Jan Virgin’s 1970 publication Sung Ceramic Designs with an identical example. Pl. 19.

Qingbai Bowl with Carved Babies and Foliate Design, Southern Song Dynasty
(1127 – 1279), Dia. 19.4 cm
A large porcelain bowl with an exquisitely carved scene of two boys frolicking amongst foliage, (peonies of pomegranate type). The masterful carving is done both with pointed and wedged instruments. The entire bowl is covered in an idyllic pale blue translucent glaze, leaving only the underfoot unglazed, revealing a white porcelain body with shadow of the cylindrical kiln support on which it was fired. The rim is about half covered with its original silver band, now partially degraded. Chips to foot rim. See similar examples in Shanghai People’s Press Compendium of Chinese Ceramics vol. 16, Song-Yuan Qingbai, pl. 103. Also, Jan Virgin’s 1970 publication Sung Ceramic Designs with an identical example. Pl. 19.