Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 14

Rare Cream Glazed Ding yao Ewer and Cover, Song Dynasty (960~1279)

$13,500
£10,225
€11,743.06
CA$18,917.91
A$20,567.59
CHF 10,904.96
MX$246,553.23
NOK 138,596.43
SEK 126,973.17
DKK 87,764.47

About the Item

The body is characterized by distinctly carved octagonal or segmented ridges. The neck rises tall and straight, flaring outward at the rim, a proportion frequently seen in ewers from the Song and Liao periods. The spout displays a smooth curvature with a finely sharpened tip. The handle, though simple, has a pronounced angularity that balances the spout and connects naturally from the rim to the shoulder. A subtle whitish to ivory-toned transparent glaze is applied evenly across the surface, producing a calm and uniform sheen that reveals natural signs of oxidation. The foot is low and neatly finished in a circular ring form, while the base is left unglazed, exposing the quality of the clay body. Period : Song dynasty Type : Creamy-white Ding yao glaze Ewer Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong Height : 17.8cm Condition : Excellent * Ding Ware Ding ware, produced primarily in Dingzhou, Hebei province, flourished during the Northern Song dynasty (11th–12th century) and is among the finest examples of early white porcelain in China. It is characterized by its ivory-tinged white glaze, thin and compact clay body, and refined carved or molded decoration rendered beneath a translucent glaze. The body of Ding ware is made from fine, nearly pure porcelain clay, usually of a warm, ivory-white tone rather than pure white. The glaze—highly transparent and slightly viscous—often pools faintly in the recesses, creating a soft creamy hue and emphasizing the carved motifs. This glaze was fired in a reduction atmosphere at high temperature, producing a smooth and glassy surface with a subtle satin sheen. Decoration was typically achieved by incising or molding floral and foliate designs, such as lotus, peony, or scrolling vines. The carving is shallow yet precise, executed with smooth, confident strokes that appear softened beneath the glaze. Unlike the sharper outlines of later imitation wares, authentic Ding carving retains a fluid, almost hand-drawn quality. A distinctive feature of Ding ware is its unglazed rim (露胎口). Because vessels were fired upside down to prevent the glaze from adhering to the kiln supports, the mouth rim was left bare and often fitted later with a metal band (usually silver or bronze). This firing method left a thin, unglazed edge that is a key diagnostic trait in authentication. The footring is typically narrow and neatly trimmed, revealing the fine, dense, slightly buff-colored clay with traces of firing adhesions (spur marks). Over time, genuine Ding pieces may display mild surface iridescence or minute crazing due to glaze aging—considered positive evidence of long-term burial or environmental exposure. In aesthetic terms, Ding ware exemplifies the Northern Song ideal of purity and restraint, combining delicate craftsmanship, subtle coloration, and quiet luminosity. From a connoisseur’s standpoint, its authenticity is judged by the soft translucence of the glaze, the precision yet warmth of the carving, and the natural oxidation and tactile aging of the exposed clay areas.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 7.01 in (17.8 cm)Diameter: 1.89 in (4.8 cm)
  • Style:
    Chinese Export (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Ceramic,Glazed
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    960-1279
  • Condition:
    Minor fading.
  • Seller Location:
    seoul, KR
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU9577237756822

More From This Seller

View All
A Rare Cream-Glazed Ding yao Ewer and Cover, Five Dynasties/Song Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
The vessel is of well-proportioned elegance, its ovoid body crisply divided into lobed segments that rise from a neatly cut, short ring foot to a tall, slender trumpet neck. A gracef...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier East Asian Antiquities

Materials

Ceramic

Rare annamese cream glazed ewer, Vietnam, 11-15th century
Located in seoul, KR
Famous annamese cream glazed ceramic ewer covered with a cream glaze. Traces of excavation are clearly visible in the glaze. Dates : Presumably Ly Dynasty (11-13th century) Region ...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Vietnamese Antiquities

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

A Zhejiang Porcelain Ewer, Northern Song Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
The oviform body is divided into few lobes. All covered in a finely crackled pale olive-green glaze. The surface and glaze characteristics are definitive, confirming the authenticity...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Hong Kong Antiquities

Materials

Porcelain

Yue Celadon Ewer, Late Tang-Northern Song Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
This Yue ware celadon ewer features a gracefully rounded body that expands smoothly, complemented by a wide, flaring mouth. The translucent olive-green glaze envelops the surface, en...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Hong Kong Tang Antiquities

Materials

Celadon

Qingbai Melon form water ewer, Five Dynasties-Northern song dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
The oviform body is divided into few lobes, and the shoulder is applied with a pair of small loops molded. Period : Five Dynasties-Song Dynasty(907~1279) Type : Ewer Medium : Zheji...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Hong Kong Antiquities

Materials

Porcelain

Celadon Ewer with Straight Handle, Tang to Northern Song Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
Celadon-glazed ewer characterized by its simple and functional design. The piece features a straight handle extending horizontally from the body and a short spout for pouring liquids...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Hong Kong Tang Antiquities

Materials

Celadon

You May Also Like

Japanese Ko-Seto Stoneware Ewer with Carved Design
Located in Atlanta, GA
On offer is a rare Ko-seto (old seto) stoneware ewer from Kamakura period (12-14th century) Japan. The exceptionally heavily potted ewer is made of stoneware. The main body was likely hand-coiled with individually built handle, sprout and wheel-made neck and mouth assembled. It takes the basic form from the contemporary Chinese ewer...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Japanese Archaistic Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Chinese Off-White Gourd-Shaped Double Ear Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese off-white porcelain, gourd-shaped double ear vase decorated in highly subtle tonal lemons, swirling clouds and writing, and accented with two shoulde...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Vases

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Liao Dynasty Amber Glazed Stoneware Strap Handle Ewer, 11th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A lovely Chinese amber glazed pottery pouring vessel, Liao Dynasty (907 to 1125 AD). The vessel featuring a globular body with an elongated neck sligh...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Chinese Sui Dynasty White Glazed Jar with Loop Handles, 6th-7th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A simple and elegant Chinese high fired white glazed jar with four lug handles, Sui Dynasty (581 to 618), probably Heibei Province. The voluptuou...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Provincial Chinese Glazed Water Jug, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century kitchen vessel is coated inside and out with a dark brown glaze that clings to its ribbed sides with subtle color variation. Designed for serving water or tea, the squat jar features a narrow neck, small strap handles, and a short spout for pouring. The rounded shoulders are brushed with simple linework in a contrasting light brown glaze. Textured with pitted wear and other imperfections, the rustic vessel is wonderful as an unusual vase...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Thai Ceramic Vase with White Glaze, Mid 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A ceramic vase from Thailand, with off-white glaze. Mid 20th Century, circa 1940. While the golden age of Thai ceramics ended around the 15-16th Centuries, local craftsmen have per...
Category

Vintage 1940s Thai Other Ceramics

Materials

Earthenware