180 - YAOZHOU CELADON EWER WITH LION-FORM SPOUT, SONG DYNASTY

YAOZHOU CELADON EWER WITH LION-FORM SPOUT, SONG DYNASTY Dimensions: Height 24 cm Wide 18 cm Depth 18,5 cm Weight: 1433 grams A substantial celadon-glazed ewer of rounded form, with a tall neck, fitted domed cover and sweeping loop handle. Opposite the handle, the spout emerges from a sculpted lion-like head with an open mouth. Broad scrolling floral motifs are carved across the body beneath a soft olive-green glaze, which gathers in the recesses and emphasises the relief. Animal-form spouts and carved floral designs were among the inventive features of northern Chinese stonewares. Yaozhou potters in particular developed a refined language of incised and relief ornament during the Song dynasty, using the glaze itself to create depth and tonal variation. The sculptural spout gives this vessel a distinctive character, balancing the high handle and lid. The softly coloured glaze unifies these projecting elements with the rounded body, creating an object that is both functional in conception and richly ornamental.