Song Dynasty celadon bowl  The thick and heavy body is made of grayish white clay.  The unglazed exposed part shows “kiln red”, brownish red color due to small amount of iron in the clay.  The very thick glaze has completely lost surface shine and has a texture like semi-polished jade, evidencing a thousand years of aging.  Due to the very thick glaze, the carved decoration is not quite clear, e.g., lotus petals.  Two minor chip on the mouth rim.  This bowl is large in comparison to most Song bowls of this shape.   Some Song celadon porcelain, especially the Guan wares, are known to have extremely thick glaze, sometime several folds thicker the clay body. Although this bowl’s glaze is not as thick, its is clearly typical for Song celadon porcelain.   

Sise: 7.5 in. (19 cm) Dia  

Weight:  798 g.    

Provenance: From Dr. Robert I-San Lin Collection, whose grandfather was a major antique dealer during late Qing-early Republic; brought to California in 1960s.  Dr. Lin’s biography published in Journal of Artworks Authentication, ISSN 2095 - 9109.  2015, vol. 6.