Antique Southern Song or Yuan Dynasty Chinese Black Pottery Gu Form Vase

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A rare Chinese black pottery Gu-form vase, attributed to the Southern Song Dynasty or possibly the Yuan period. The elegant … Read more A rare Chinese black pottery Gu-form vase, attributed to the Southern Song Dynasty or possibly the Yuan period. The elegant archaistic form is enriched with a distinctive mottled green celadon and iron-glaze decoration, creating an attractive contrast against the dark pottery body. The base bears an impressed Zhuanshu, or seal-script, mark, although the characters are no longer sufficiently clear to be confidently deciphered. Black pottery of this type derives its distinctive colour from iron-rich clay and the conditions under which it was fired. In a reducing atmosphere, where the supply of oxygen within the kiln is restricted, the iron compounds within the clay contribute to the characteristic dark coloration. with its striking Gu-inspired silhouette, unusual glaze and impressed mark, this is a particularly interesting and highly decorative example of early Chinese ceramic tradition. Dimensions Height: 17 cm (6.7 in) Diameter: 11 cm (4.3 in) Period Southern Song Dynasty, possibly Yuan Dynasty Origin China See less