A rare Chinese Cizhou sgraffito 'Peony' vase, Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127)

A rare Chinese Cizhou sgraffito 'Peony' vase Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) 13.8cm high Provenance: Formerly from a private collection in Bath The striking design on this vase was achieved using a complex two-slip sgraffito technique developed at the Cizhou kilns during the Northern Song dynasty. Artisans first coated the unfired stoneware in a white slip, followed by a second layer of black slip. They carved the outline of the motif through the dark upper layer, scraping away the background to reveal the contrasting white beneath, before applying a final clear glaze for firing. Achieving this finish required exceptional mastery. Because the soft, unfired slip layers were delicate, craftsmen had to control their incision depth with absolute precision to strip the black surface without carving into the underlying white layer. This refined technique represents the hallmark of the famous Guantai kilns. Compare a Cizhou jar bearing very similar design sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30 April 2026, lot 803 北宋 磁州窯白地黑搔落牡丹紋小瓶 拍品來源：英國巴斯私人紳士收藏 Condition Report: neck reduced and fitted with copper band Condition Report Disclaimer, A rare Chinese Cizhou sgraffito 'Peony' vas, e, A rare Chinese Cizhou sgraffito 'Peony' vase Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) 13.8cm high Provenance: Formerly from a private collection in Bath The striking design on this vase was achieved using a complex two-slip sgraffito technique developed at the Cizhou kilns during the Northern Song dynasty. Artisans first coated the unfired stoneware in a white slip, followed by a second layer of black slip. They carved the outline of the motif through the dark upper layer, scraping away the background to reveal the contrasting white beneath, before applying a final clear glaze for firing. Achieving this finish required exceptional mastery. Because the soft, unfired slip layers were delicate, craftsmen had to control their incision depth with absolute precision to strip the black surface without carving into the underlying white layer. This refined technique represents the hallmark of the famous Guantai kilns. Compare a Cizhou jar bearing very similar design sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30 April 2026, lot 803 北宋 磁州窯白地黑搔落牡丹紋小瓶 拍品來源：英國巴斯私人紳士收藏, Provenance:, Condition Report:, neck reduced and fitted with copper band, Condition Report Disclaimer

Estimate:£3,000

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