the conical flaring sides rising from a short knife-pared foot to a hexalobed rim, freely carved to the interior with a lotus bloom borne on leafy tendrils issuing broad leaves and arrowheads, covered overall in a creamy ivory glaze pooling to characteristic teardrops on the exterior save for the unglazed rim

Eskenazi Ltd, London, 12th June 2000.

It is in overall very good condition. There are just some firing imperfections and only a few typical minute nicks to the unglazed rim.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present bowl displays the characteristics attributed to the finest Ding wares. Celebrated for their thin potting, fine near-white body which did not require an application of slip and an ivory-coloured glaze which tends to run down in somewhat darker 'tears', Ding wares were ranked among the 'five great wares' of the Song, a term coined by collectors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The high quality of this bowl is evident in its feather-light weight body which has been expertly evenly glazed. Ding designs generally display a high level of naturalness and fluidity, however, the maker of this bowl appears to have been particularly skilled at rendering his lines in a spontaneous manner, creating a decoration that is precise yet particularly free in execution.

Closely related examples include a slightly larger bowl with a metal-bound rim, from the Qing court collection and still in Beijing, published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Porcelain of the Song Dynasty (I), Hong Kong, 1996, pl. 52; one in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in the Illustrated Catalogue of Sung Dynasty Porcelain in the National Palace Museum. Ting Ware and Ting-type Ware, Taipei, 1973, pl. 41; another, from the Jingguantang collection, included in the exhibition Gems of Chinese Art. Selections of Ceramics and Bronzes from the Tsui Art Foundation, The Empress Palace Museum, Singapore, 1992, cat. no. 46, sold at Chri𓃲stie's Hong Kong, 3rd November 1996, lot 535, and again at Christie's New York, 18th September 1997, lot 144; and a further bowl sold in these rooms, 2nd May 2005, lot 588, and again in our London rooms, 16th May 2012, lot 88.