A Group of Song, Yuan, and Early Ming Ceramics
The present group comprises seven ceramic vessels dating from the Song, Yuan, and early Ming dynasties, illustrating the remarkable development of Chinese ceramics during one of the most innovative periods in the history of porcelain production. Including Qingbai wares, an luanbai-glazed bowl, a Qingbai ewer, and a pair of early Ming blue and white vases from Yunnan's Jian'an kilns, the collection reflects the diversity of regional kilns and the technical achievements that laid the foundation for later imperial porcelain.
The most refined piece in the group is the Qingbai molded floral bowl at the upper right. Exceptionally thinly potted, the bowl is delicately molded with floral decoration beneath a luminous pale bluish-white glaze. The elegant translucency of the body and the restrained decoration exemplify the aesthetic ideals of Song dynasty ceramics, in which simplicity, refined proportions, and subtle glaze effects were valued above elaborate ornamentation. Produced in Jingdezhen during the Song-Yuan period, Qingbai wares were among the finest porcelains of their age and enjoyed wide circulation throughout China and across maritime trade routes extending to Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Equally noteworthy is the Qingbai ewer positioned at the center of the group. Its graceful pear-shaped body, slender spout, and elegantly curved handle demonstrate the sophisticated potting skills achieved by Jingdezhen kilns during the Song and Yuan dynasties. Covered in a soft bluish-white glaze that pools gently around the molded details, the vessel embodies the understated elegance for which Qingbai ceramics are celebrated.
The pair of blue and white vases represents the production of the Jian'an kilns in Yunnan during the early Ming dynasty. Decorated with freely painted floral scrolls in underglaze cobalt beneath a transparent glaze, these vessels illustrate the regional interpretation of blue and white porcelain during the formative years following the establishment of the Ming dynasty. While inspired by the celebrated blue and white wares of Jingdezhen, Yunnan kilns developed their own distinctive decorative vocabulary characterized by bold brushwork, lively floral motifs, and robust forms.
The small rounded bowl at the lower right is covered in a creamy luanbai glaze, a distinctive type of porcelain associated with Jingdezhen during the late Yuan and early Ming period. Named after the "Shu Fu" wares produced for official use, luanbai glaze is distinguished by its warm ivory tone and softly opaque surface, representing an important transitional stage in the development of Jingdezhen porcelain immediately preceding the mature blue and white production of the Ming dynasty.
Completing the group are three Qingbai bowls of varying sizes, each covered with a translucent bluish-white glaze that highlights the purity of the porcelain body and the graceful simplicity of their forms. Together, these vessels demonstrate the remarkable consistency and refinement achieved by Song and Yuan potters, whose technical innovations profoundly influenced the subsequent history of Chinese ceramics.
Representing nearly four centuries of ceramic production, this collection provides an instructive survey of the evolution of Chinese porcelain from the refined monochrome aesthetics of the Song dynasty through the transitional innovations of the Yuan period to the emergence of regional blue and white production in the early Ming dynasty.
Dimensions
Pair of Jian'an kiln blue and white vases, early Ming dynasty: Height 7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm); Mouth Diameter 2 3/8 in. (6.0 cm); Body Diameter 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm), each.
Qingbai ewer, Song-Yuan dynasty: Height 6 5/8 in. (16.8 cm); Mouth Diameter 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm); Body Diameter 4 5/8 in. (11.7 cm).
Qingbai molded floral bowl, Song-Yuan dynasty: Height 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm); Diameter 5 7/8 in. (14.9 cm).
Luanbai-glazed bowl, late Yuan to early Ming dynasty: Height 2 in. (5.1 cm); Diameter 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm).
Qingbai bowl: Height 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm); Diameter 6 5/8 in. (16.8 cm).
Qingbai bowl: Height 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm); Diameter 5 3/4 in. (14.6 cm).
Qingbai bowl: Height 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm); Diameter 7 3/8 in. (18.7 cm).
宋元明瓷器一组
本组拍品由七件宋、元至明初瓷器组成，包括宋元青白瓷刻印花卉碗、青白瓷执壶、三件青白瓷碗、一件元末明初景德镇卵白釉碗，以及一对明初云南建安窑青花瓶，较为全面地展现了中国陶瓷由宋代单色瓷高峰发展至元明之际青花瓷兴起的重要历史阶段，也反映出景德镇与地方窑口在不同历史时期的工艺特色。
本组最具艺术特色者，当属右上方的宋元青白瓷模印花卉碗。器壁极薄，胎质细腻，内壁模印花卉纹饰，通体施青白釉，釉色温润莹洁，光泽柔和，充分体现了宋代瓷器追求素雅含蓄、以釉取胜的审美理念。青白瓷是景德镇窑最具代表性的品种之一，其洁净如玉的釉色和轻盈秀雅的器形，使其不仅广受国内文人士大夫喜爱，更随着海上贸易远销东南亚、中东等地区，成为中国陶瓷对外交流的重要代表。
后方中央的宋元青白瓷执壶同样制作精美。器身呈梨形，流口修长，曲柄舒展，比例优雅，通体罩施青白釉，釉层温润，局部积釉处泛现淡雅青色，体现了宋元时期景德镇高超的拉坯与施釉工艺。这类执壶兼具实用与观赏功能，是宋元日常饮宴器具中的经典器型。
后方左右一对青花瓶烧造于明初云南建安窑。器物采用白釉青花装饰，腹部绘缠枝花卉纹，笔意流畅豪放，具有鲜明的地方窑特色。明初时期，除景德镇外，全国许多地方窑口亦积极烧造青花瓷，云南建安窑便是其中较具代表性的窑场之一，其作品以朴拙自然、纹饰生动见长，是研究早期地方青花瓷发展的重要实物资料。
右下角的小碗为元末明初景德镇卵白釉器。卵白釉因釉色温润如鹅卵而得名，是元代景德镇最具代表性的官用瓷器品种之一，又常被称为“枢府釉”。其乳白略泛青的釉色柔和典雅，标志着景德镇由宋元青白瓷向明代成熟白瓷及青花瓷发展的关键过渡阶段，在中国陶瓷史上具有重要意义。
其余三件宋元青白瓷碗造型简洁大方，胎体坚致，釉色清润透明，充分体现了宋元瓷器“以器形见精神，以釉色见韵味”的艺术追求。虽然器形各异，却共同展现了景德镇青白瓷成熟稳定的烧造工艺与高度统一的审美风格。
本组拍品横跨宋、元、明初近四百年，不仅汇集了青白瓷、卵白釉与早期地方青花等多个重要瓷器品种，也清晰呈现了中国陶瓷由宋代青白瓷高峰，经元代技术转型，最终迈向明代青花瓷时代的发展脉络，兼具学术研究价值与收藏价值。
尺寸
明初云南建安窑青花瓶一对：高7 1/4英寸（18.4厘米）；口径2 3/8英寸（6.0厘米）；腹径3 1/2英寸（8.9厘米），各一。
宋元青白瓷执壶：高6 5/8英寸（16.8厘米）；口径3 1/8英寸（7.9厘米）；腹径4 5/8英寸（11.7厘米）。
宋元青白瓷模印花卉碗：高1 3/4英寸（4.4厘米）；直径5 7/8英寸（14.9厘米）。
元末明初景德镇卵白釉碗：高2英寸（5.1厘米）；直径4 1/2英寸（11.4厘米）。
宋元青白瓷碗：高2 1/2英寸（6.4厘米）；直径6 5/8英寸（16.8厘米）。
宋元青白瓷碗：高2 5/8英寸（6.7厘米）；直径5 3/4英寸（14.6厘米）。
宋元青白瓷碗：高2 5/8英寸（6.7厘米）；直径7 3/8英寸（18.7厘米）。
Overall surface dust and dirt. Small bowl shows evidence of restoration with losses on base. Qingbai floral molded bowl has small hair line crack measuring 1/4" at rim. For full condition report and additional photos, please contact the Asian Art department.
