Cizhou ceramic Meiping vase, ‘Peonies’, Song Dynasty

Cizhou-style stoneware, featuring the classic meiping silhouette with a narrow mouth and an ovoid body (meiping) that tapers towards a solid, circular base.

The piece stands out for its decorative technique, sgraffito on slip: the body is covered with a layer of creamy slip, over which a dark slip has been applied. The design was created by scratching away the top slip to reveal the white background, creating a strong visual contrast. The main decoration features large stylised peony flowers with lush leaves, executed with a fluid and dynamic line that wraps around the entire piece. On the shoulder and base, decorative bands of archaic-style lotus petals can be seen.

Height: 32 cm; Mouth diameter: 6 cm; Base diameter: 10 cm

References:

· Sotheby’s. An outstanding large Cizhou white-glazed sgraffiato ‘Peony’ meiping, Northern Song Dynasty, Lot 13. October 2017