Bowl thumbnail 1
Bowl thumbnail 2
+2
images
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 137, The Curtain Foundation Gallery

Bowl

1200-1279 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Ding ware was a highly sought-after style of porcelain made in the Ding kilns of the Hebei province, reaching its height of production during the Northern Song (960-1127) and Jin (1115-1234) dynasties. Ding wares were amongst the earliest true porcelains made in China, and were known for their bright white bodies, their impermeability, and their fine texture. The popularity of Ding ware meant that many kilns across China attempted to imitate it, however, this was a difficult task.

This bowl displays many characteristics of Ding ware; a white glaze, gently sloping walls and delicate incised lotus design. Despite these, the warm ivory hue of Ding ware was sufficiently difficult to achieve in other kilns that this Qingbai ware bowl, made in southern China, is obviously an imitation.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Porcelain, incised and glazed
Brief description
Bowl, incised and glazed porcelain, qingbai in imitation of Ding ware, China, Southern Song dynasty, 1200-1279
Physical description
Qingbai bowl in imitation of Ding ware. Incised lotus scroll pattern.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 20cm
Styles
Credit line
Eumorfopoulos Collection
Summary
Ding ware was a highly sought-after style of porcelain made in the Ding kilns of the Hebei province, reaching its height of production during the Northern Song (960-1127) and Jin (1115-1234) dynasties. Ding wares were amongst the earliest true porcelains made in China, and were known for their bright white bodies, their impermeability, and their fine texture. The popularity of Ding ware meant that many kilns across China attempted to imitate it, however, this was a difficult task.

This bowl displays many characteristics of Ding ware; a white glaze, gently sloping walls and delicate incised lotus design. Despite these, the warm ivory hue of Ding ware was sufficiently difficult to achieve in other kilns that this Qingbai ware bowl, made in southern China, is obviously an imitation.
Bibliographic reference
Kerr, Rose. Song Dynasty Ceramics. London: V&A Publications, 2004. p. 51, nos. 46 and 46a.
Collection
Accession number
C.109-1939

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Record createdFebruary 25, 2005
Record URL
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