Dark-glazed ceramics were produced in large quantities during the Song dynasty (960-1279). Although they were made for everyday use, these ‘black wares’ are generally of high quality and used innovative decorative techniques. Those made in Henan province in northern China are often painted with abstract animal and plant designs. This example is unusual in having dark painted decoration on a lighter ground, whereas normally in wares of this type the brown decoration stands out against a black background.

Chinese black wares were particularly admired in Japan. They have also been a source of inspiration to 20^th-century studio potters, such as Shoji Hamada and Bernard Leach, whose ‘Tenmoku’ glazed wares of the 1950s and 60s often resemble Henan ceramics of the twelfth century.

Provenance: Christie’s, New York, 9 November 1978, lot. 29; 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