Fish-Basket Vase

The Ting Yao (Ting Kiln) was built in the early years of the Northern Sung Dynasty (960-1126 A.D.), and was distinguished for its white porcelain, though it also produced glazed purple, black and off-white pieces. Decoration on the Ting wares was cut with bamboo or wooden slips or knives and sometimes shaped with dies. Both ways present a different look. The cut out decorations appear natural and the shaped ones neat. Purity and simplicity were stressed at the Ting Kiln, therefore, some of the Ting wares are just glazed in white without any decoration. Pictured here is a vase fired at the Ting Kiln. It was glazed in pure white, made in the shape of a fish basket and incised with a design of plaited willow. The vase, 16.7 cm. in height and 44 cm. in circumference, is considered one of the most famous treasures of the Ting wares. Its mouth is rimmed with a copper band.