Notes:
For a similar example see the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, No. FE.180-1974.
The Song dynasty is frequently divided into two distinct periods, the Northern Song (960-1127) and the Southern Song (1127-1279). After the Song was founded by military leader Zhao Kuangyin, who established his capital at Bianjing, economic stability became a defining characteristic of the period. Prosperity resulted in a huge population increase and the flourishing of culture underpinned by major developments such as the first paper money, the founding of commercial guilds, standardization of taxation and technological innovation across many different industries. The Southern Song, referring to the period after the Song lost control of the north to the Jin dynasty, nevertheless saw a continuation of innovation and economic stability, before Mongol invasion in 1279 led to Chinese reunification under the Yuan. The flourishing of education and the economy during the Song is reflected in ceramic production; Song kilns were widespread and exited in 130 counties of nineteen provinces, accounting for 75% of all kilns established throughout Chinese history (Li, 2006 p.133). Innovation led to the development of new kiln technology, with large-scale kilns increasing their output and the quality of their wares. There were also significant developments in glaze technology; fired in the climbing dragon kilns near the town of Longquan, celadon wares like this dish were particularly prized by members of the aristocracy, who admired the clarity and texture of the glaze. An essential item for literati and scholarly aristocrats, brush washers would have been a popular choice of object. As such, this dish is a perfect representation of the technical developments in ceramic technology and the educational flourishing within Song society.
A similar brush washer sold at Sotheby's on 1/11/2022.
A small Longquan celadon-glazed washer, Southern Song dynasty | 南宋 龍泉窰青釉洗
November 1, 04:18 PM GMT
Lot Sold 18,900 GBP
Another example sold at Bonhams in 2013.
