Qingbai Cosmetic Box, Northern Song Dynasty

A rare qingbai cosmetic box and cover northern song dynasty,…
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A rare qingbai cosmetic box and cover northern Song Dynasty, the interior divided into three sections by unglazed free standing flowering stems extending from the centre to the rim, each section containing a small bowl, the low domed cover finely incised with a floral scroll, covered with a translucent pale blue glaze falling short of the rims and shallow foot revealing the white ware, 12 cm diameter. Provenance, Sotheby's Australia, Sydney, 15 April 2014, lot 196. Private Collection, Sydney, Compare with a cosmetic box of this type illustrated in the catalogue of the London Oriental ceramic Society exhibition, the Arts of the Sung Dynasty, London, 1960, pl.76, no 217, from the collection of Captain and Mrs. Bulkeley-Johnson; and in the catalogue of the London Ocs Jubilee exhibition, the ceramic Art of China, London, 1971, pl. 85, no.124

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  • Incised - A record of a name, date or inscription, or a decoration scratched into a surface, usually of a glass or ceramic item with a blunt instrument to make a coarse indentation. Compare with engraving where the surface is cut with a sharp instrument such as a metal needle or rotating tool to achieve a fine indentation.
  • Song Dynasty - The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China from 960 to 1279 AD. It was divided into two periods, the Northern Song (960?1127) and the Southern Song (1127?1279). The emperor was the ultimate authority, but he relied on officials who were selected based on their merit and skills rather than their family background or social status. The Song Dynasty was a period of great artistic and cultural achievements, particularly in the areas of poetry, painting, and calligraphy. The Chinese invented the printing press during this period, which revolutionized the spread of knowledge and ideas. During the Song Dynasty, China had a prosperous economy and was a centre of international trade, particularly in luxury goods such as silk, tea, and porcelain. The use of paper money became more widespread during this period, facilitating commerce and trade.  

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