A Sky Blue-glazed JUN Purple-splashed Foliate Cup Stand
Northern Song Dynasty
- KILN:JUN Kiln
- PERIOD:Northern Song Dynasty
- DIMENSIONS:Height 6.5 cm, Rim Diameter 9.2 cm, Width 15.2 cm, Foot Diameter 7 cm
Introduction
The cup stand as a whole is built with a hollow chamber: the bowl-cup with a round opening, a plump rim, and a bulging body is set on the top; the six-lobed lotus-shaped tray is stacked in the middle with each undulating broad petal tilted upward; and the splayed foot ring is attached at the bottom with an embossed ring along the edge. To observe from distant or to take a closer inspection, it appears as a lotus blossom rising from the water. The cup stand is covered overall in sky blue glaze and dipped with purple splashes, presenting various gradations with yellow, green, azure blue, greyish blue, and indigo blue tint, like evening glow scattering around the vase, achieving a surreal beauty. The foot ring is neatly trimmed and covered in transparent glaze to expose the greyish white biscuit.
Such cup stand is quite difficult to make, and the edge of the tray can be easily touched or nicked during long-time use and collection, hence the intact ware is extremely rare.
