Ewer with a Pale Glaze and a Ridged Shoulder, Song Dynasty

PP-0148

Description

A porcelain ewer with straight, slightly tapering sides, a flat sloping shoulder and a tall cylindrical neck that flares a little at the mouth. A raised ridge, framed by two grooves, circles the body just below the shoulder and is its only ornament. A slender curved spout rises from one side of the shoulder; on the other, a slender loop handle springs from the shoulder and joins the neck just below the rim, ending in a small curl at the top. The spout and handle show the slight irregularities of hand forming.

The glaze is a pale greyish buff with a soft sheen, pooling slightly at the handle joins. The base is flat and unglazed, showing a pale buff body with faint turning marks. There is no painted or carved decoration. More on the period is on our Song dynasty page.