Glazed pottery, 190 grams, 124.99 x 41.61 mm. Circa 690 -1279 AD. A large solid ceramic bowl that stands on a circular foot and is covered with a thick, viscous black and brown glaze applied in a way that allowed the two colours to mix. Sung dynasty scholars compared this type of glaze to the appearance of the fur of a black hare, hence the name "hare fur" striations. This style was the most popular during this period as it enhanced the natural colour of the tea. For practical purposes, the thick walls of the bowl also reduced the risk of burning one's hands from the hot tea, allowing the aroma to be appreciated more. Thus, bowls in black glaze such as this, a product of Chien-yang in Fukien province, were considered some of the finest utensils for the art of tea. Records also show that this ware was also admired and used at court in the Northern Sung. Reference: Mowry, R.D. Hare’s Fur, Tortoiseshell, and Partridge Feathers, Chinese Brown- and Black-Glazed Ceramics, 400-1400, Cambridge, Mass. 1995, p. 214. A good example in very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.