This Northern Song (960-1127 AD) bowl has a large carved peony blossom. Each line of carving is formed by 2 simple cuts: a deep vertical and an angled cut. These lines flow fluently and freely, and the celadon glaze accumulates on the grooves to form a very pleasing pattern of a peony blossom. These are features of top Yao Zhou wares. The glaze has numerous minute dark and light colored inclusions, resembling Tang and Yuan’s tea dust glazes, though the Yao Zhou glaze is more transparent. It has developed network of crackle lines and has totally lost surface shine due to over 1000 years aging. From Dr. Robert I-San Lin (#1977), a senior Chinese artwork appraiser, whose grandfather was a major Chinese antique merchant in early 1900s. (Dr. Lin’s bio, in Journal of Authentication of Artworks, 2015, available). Brought to California in 1960s. H.6.6, Dia. 19.4 cm; 354 grams.