With its pale body and ivory glaze, this vessel resembles the products of the Ding kilns, but it was made elsewhere in northern China. The most admired wares of the Song dynasty were often imitated by other kilns. Occasionally, as with the present example, the quality of these imitations rivalled the originals.

Yuhuchunping (pear-shaped vase) were popular during the Song dynasty (960-1279) and were probably used as wine vessels. This piece is quite similar to a type of Ding ware bottle vase (for example one formerly in the Eumorfopoulos collection and now British Museum 1936,1012.26, and another sold Sotheby’s, Hong Kong, 5 June 2020, lot. 313), but the shape is subtly different. On the neck of this vase is a single rust-coloured spot, which may have been deliberately applied or caused by an impurity in the glaze.

Exhibited: ‘The World in Monochromes’, Oriental Ceramic Society, SOAS, 2009, no. 103

Literature: R. Scott et al., The World in Monochromes (London, 2009), p. 51

Provenance: Priestley & Ferraro, 22 March 1997; Accepted in lieu of Inheritance tax by HM Government from the estate of Anthony du Boulay in 2024 and allocated to the Winchester College Treasury Museum

Location: Treasury, Gallery 2