Glazed ceramic vase "Lotus petals", Ding kiln, Song dynasty

An elegant porcelain vase covered with a characteristic ivory glaze. The piece has a globular shape, with a short neck that slightly flares toward a flat rim. It is delicately decorated in bas-relief with a pattern of stylized lotus petals rising from the base, crowned by a border of inverted petals at the top of the body. The glossy cream-coloured glaze covers most of the piece, leaving the unglazed rim barely visible. This type of floral decoration is a recurring motif in the period's productions, evoking purity and elegance. Song Dynasty (960–1279) or later.

Height: 8.4 cm; Largest diameter: 7.5 cm; Mouth diameter: 3.7 cm; Base diameter: 4.2 cm