Guan 官窯 or ge 哥窯 stoneware with thick brownish-grey crackle glaze, probably Hangzhou 杭州 kilns, Zhejiang Province 浙江省, Song 宋代 (960- 1279) and Yuan dynasties 元代 (1279-1368).
“Official” Guan pieces produced for the Southern Song in Hangzhou imitate the imperial Ru 汝 created previously for the court of Kaifeng 開封. The thick, shiny glaze is considerably crackled and includes subtle, muted shades ranging from rice yellow and off-white to powder blue.
Vase of archaic shape 青瓷管耳瓶
Song dynasty, 13th c.
CB-CC-1937-91
The double network of crackles is dubbed “golden threads and iron wires” 金絲鉄綫 or “crab tracks” 螃蟹足跡.
Vase of archaic shape 青瓷管耳瓶
Song dynasty, 13th c.
CB-CC-1931-93
Stand 青瓷台
Song dynasty, 13th c.
CB-CC-1932-92
Pieces made in Guan kilns display “iron feet and purple lips” 鉄足紫口, denoting the points where the glaze is thinnest and the dark body shows through.Brush washer 青瓷筆洗
Song or Yuan dynasty, 13th - 14th c.
CB-CC-1929-95
These small pieces were essential for writing with brush and ink, and were a standard item on a scholar’s desk.
Lotus bud-shaped water dropper 蓮芽形硯滴
Song or Yuan dynasty, 13th - 14th c.
CB-CC-1929-96
The small opening enables the scholar to pour exactly the right amount of water needed to make the ink.