A CHINESE "JIAN" HARE'S FUR TEA BOWL,Southern Song dynasty. Of conical form with deep sides covered with an unctuous jet black glaze flecked with fine russet ticking radiating from the center and concentrating near the rim; the exterior similarly decorated; the unglazed foot with two characters in inscription - 5 in. diam. Estimate $1,000-1,500
Inscribe Jian ware bowls are rare and possibly belonged to the finest wares made for tribute or court use. For similar examples, see the Shatzman Collection in the exhibition "Dark Jewels", Auckland Art Museum, North Carolina, 2003, pl. 16, and another at Sotheby's, Hong Kong, April 28, 1992, lot 5.
PROVENANCE: Property of a Mississippi estate.
