A Small Black-Glazed 'Oil-Spot' Tea Bowl, Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127)
宋 黑釉油滴茶盏
Well-potted with steep sides rising from a short, straight foot to a rim bordered by a fine concave groove, the bowl is unctuously covered in a lustrous black-brown glaze suffused with iridescent silvery 'oil spots' of varying sizes, thinning to a warm chocolate-brown at the rim and terminating neatly above the foot, revealing a neatly cut foot and an unglazed section dressed in black to conceal the pale grey body beneath
此盏造型规整，直腹深壁，由矮直圈足上收起，沿口微撇，口沿外侧一道细凹弦纹环绕。通体施黑褐色釉，釉面莹润肥厚，其间遍布大小不一的银灰色“油滴”斑，熠熠生辉。釉层至口沿渐薄，转为温润的巧克力褐色，于足上方整齐收釉，露出削切规整的圈足。足内与露胎处施黑色化妆土，以掩盖浅灰胎色，工艺考究。
The result of Oxford thermoluminescence test no.P125d81 is consistent with the dating of this lot.
此拍品经牛津鉴定公司热释光年代法测试（测试编号P125d81),证实与本图录之定代相符
height 2 in — 5 cm, diameter 3.5 in — 9 cm
August 21, 2025
Estimate $20,000-$30,000
Realised: $44,670
Bowls of this form with the distinctive ‘oil spot’ glazes are believed to have been produced at northern kilns in imitation of the celebrated Jian ware of Fujian province, developed during the Southern Song dynasty. The striking glaze effect—achieved by applying a black slip beneath two layers of iron-rich dark brown glaze—results from the iron content surfacing during firing, creating the characteristic metallic ‘oil spot’ pattern. A defining feature of these northern wares is the black slip extending across the entire foot, deliberately echoing the dark stoneware bodies of authentic Jian bowls.
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