Chinese Song Dynasty Black Glazed Leaf Bowl, 11–13C #5329

Width: approx. 15.7cm (6.18in)
Height: approx. 5.8cm (2.28in)
Weight: 263g

This is a remarkable tea bowl from the Song Dynasty (960–1279), produced at the renowned Jizhou kilns in Jiangxi Province. The piece is distinguished by its lustrous black glaze and the rare technique of firing real leaves directly onto the interior surface, leaving behind vivid, naturalistic impressions. This technique, unique to Jizhou ware, captures the fragile beauty of nature in ceramic form and was highly admired by literati and tea practitioners of the time. The two boldly imprinted leaves, their veins and contours clearly visible, appear as if gently settled on the dark surface, creating a poetic interplay of light and shadow. The glaze is smooth and evenly applied, while the foot ring is left unglazed, revealing the warm-toned stoneware beneath. The bowl is in excellent condition with no visible cracks or restorations. As a functional vessel and aesthetic object, it embodies the refined, contemplative spirit of the Song dynasty and remains a quintessential example of the harmony between art and nature in Chinese ceramic tradition.