Tea bowl - An exquisite 'Jian' black-glazed 'hare's fur' bowl, Southern Song dynasty

### A JIAN-TYPE BLACK-GLAZED TEA BOWL
*Song Dynasty tradition (960–1279)*

Black-glazed tea bowls produced at the Jian kilns in Jianyang, Fujian province, occupy a distinguished position in the history of Chinese ceramics and East Asian tea culture. Particularly celebrated during the Song dynasty (960–1279), these vessels embody the refined aesthetic sensibilities of an era in which tea preparation evolved into an elaborate cultural and contemplative practice.

Jian tea bowls were appreciated not only among the Chinese literati and at the imperial court, but also within Buddhist monasteries, where tea played an important role in daily religious life. Its stimulating properties helped monks maintain alertness during prolonged periods of meditation, while tea itself could also be presented as a ritual offering to the Buddha.

The characteristic dark glazes of Jian ware were especially suited to the Song practice of whisking powdered tea into a delicate white froth. The contrast between the pale foam and the deep, lustrous glaze was highly prized by contemporary tea connoisseurs. The substantial walls of these bowls helped retain heat, while their carefully considered proportions provided both stability and comfort during use.

The appreciation of Jian ceramics eventually extended beyond China, particularly to Japan, where imported black-glazed tea bowls became known as *tenmoku*. Preserved and admired within Buddhist and tea-drinking traditions, these vessels subsequently acquired an enduring significance in the development of Japanese tea culture.

Combining functional ingenuity with an understated yet sophisticated aesthetic, Jian tea bowls remain among the most evocative expressions of Song dynasty ceramic craftsmanship.

CONDITION: A good-quality example, displaying some firing imperfections (cobered with lacquer and gold ) consistent with the traditional kiln-firing process.

**Shipping:** Worldwide shipping available. The item will be carefully and securely packed using protective materials to ensure safe transportation. Tracking information will be provided upon dispatch.