183 - (R) SMALL CREAM-GLAZED CERAMIC VASE, NORTHERN CHINA, SONG DYNASTY, 11TH CENTURY

(R) SMALL CREAM-GLAZED CERAMIC VASE, NORTHERN CHINA, SONG DYNASTY, 11TH CENTURY Dimensions: Height 13,5 cm Wide 10 cm Depth 10 cm Weight: 493 grams A small northern Chinese ceramic vase of compact bulbous form, rising from a narrow foot through rounded shoulders to a short neck and mouth. The restrained silhouette is covered in a soft cream-coloured glaze whose slight tonal variations and firing irregularities animate the otherwise undecorated surface. The absence of painted ornament places the emphasis firmly on proportion, glaze and the tactile quality of the ceramic body. Song-dynasty ceramics are often admired for this disciplined economy. Potters refined subtle differences in profile, glaze thickness and firing until modest vessels acquired remarkable visual presence. Cream and ivory-toned wares from northern China formed part of a broad ceramic culture in which everyday forms could embody sophisticated aesthetic ideals. The vase is particularly appealing at intimate scale. Its rounded body feels generous and stable, while the short neck provides a crisp termination above. Seen closely, small variations in the glaze become the decoration, rewarding the attentive viewing that lies at the heart of Song ceramic appreciation. For lots marked with (R), a 19% VAT is added to the combined hammer price and commission. This VAT is waived for: - Private buyers outside the EU who officially export the items.- Businesses inside the EU holding a valid VAT number, exporting to their home country. Proper export documentation is required to waive the VAT