Black Botanical Vase II: Technological and Stylistic Study of a Natural Leaf Impression on a Black-Glazed Vessel from the Late Southern Song – Early Yuan Period

DOI 10.5281/zenodo.16871471
Author: Prof. Nona Dronova, D.Sc. (Eng.)
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4867-9074
License: Text — CC BY 4.0; Images — CC BY-SA 4.0

Abstract

This study examines a rare black-glazed ceramic vase with applied natural leaf impression, attributed to the late Southern Song – early Yuan period (13th century). The vessel is part of a matched pair (Black Botanical Vase I and II), produced in Jiangxi or northern Zhejiang kilns. The research focuses on the technological features of the botanical imprint, including the thermopress application method, underglaze preservation of venation, and the characteristic colouration derived from ferruginous inclusions. Comparative analysis with museum and auction parallels confirms the authenticity and chronological placement of the object.

Keywords

Black glaze, botanical impression, Southern Song ceramics, Yuan dynasty ceramics, leaf decoration, Chinese pottery, Jiangxi kilns

1. Introduction

Black-glazed ceramics with botanical impressions represent a distinctive decorative tradition in Southern Song and Yuan kilns. This paper investigates one of a pair of vases featuring a natural leaf impression, preserved under a transparent glaze over a dark base. The study integrates macro- and micro-photographic documentation with comparative typological and technological analysis.

2. Object Description

• Catalogue Code: SS-BLK-LF-VS-002-YU

• Origin: Jiangxi or northern Zhejiang, China

• Date: Late Southern Song – Early Yuan (13th century)

• Material: Stoneware with dense black glaze, natural leaf impression

• Height: ca. 28 cm

• Pairing: Companion to Black Botanical Vase I (SS-BLK-LF-VS-001-YU)

• Form: Globular body, tall neck, twin animal-head loop handles, high pedestal foot

• Glaze: Dense black with fine crackle over entire surface including the leaf area; semi-gloss finish

• Leaf Decoration: Amber-golden colour with reddish ferruginous accents; veins and serrated margins preserved; applied pre-firing via thermopress technique

3. Technological Analysis

Microscopic examination reveals:

• Body: Compact, high-fired stoneware, ochre-brown matrix with darker core

• Turning Marks: Concentric traces visible inside neck and base

• Glaze Application: Even coverage with semi-transparent upper layer, exhibiting shrinkage crackle

• Leaf Impression:

  • Applied to unfired glaze layer

  • Thermal carbonisation of organic material preserved under glaze

  • Iron-rich pigment or slip enhanced natural venation

• Crackle Pattern: Continuous over glaze and imprint, indicating single firing after decoration

• Colouration: Result of combined organic carbonisation and Fe-based inclusions

4. Comparative Examples

• Victoria and Albert Museum, London — Bowl with black glaze and leaf impression (O139185), China, 13th century

• Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York — Yuan-period vessel with botanical imprint (inv. 2003.2.1)

• Christie’s Hong Kong, 2015 — Pair of vases with similar decorative concept, lot 3113

• Black Botanical Vase I (SS-BLK-LF-VS-001-YU), published in Dronova N.D., Что надо знать о старинном китайском фарфоре (Moscow, 2016)

5. Provenance

Acquired in the USA via eBay in 2015. Identified as the pair to Black Botanical Vase I, which was purchased earlier and published in 2016. Full photo archive and microstructural documentation are preserved in the author’s research database.

6. Conclusions

The vase demonstrates all characteristic features of authentic Southern Song–Yuan black-glazed ceramics with botanical impressions:

• High-fired stoneware body typical of Jiangxi kilns

• Technological coherence of glaze and imprint layers

• Crackle pattern indicating period firing techniques

• Stylistic alignment with published museum specimens

The study contributes to the documentation of rare black-glazed botanical ceramics and confirms the vase’s authenticity and place within the Southern Song–Yuan decorative tradition.

References

1. Wood, N. Chinese Glazes. A&C Black, 1999.

2. Medley, M. The Chinese Potter: A Practical History of Chinese Ceramics. London, 1989.

3. Wu Hung. "Yuan Experiments with Glazes", Journal of Chinese Ceramics, 2011.

4. Dronova, N.D. Что надо знать о старинном китайском фарфоре. Moscow, 2016. ISBN 978-5-9908782-6-6.