A EXCEPTIONALLY RARE CARVED DING BEAN-SHAPED PILLOW NORTHERN SONG-JIN DYNASTY, 12TH CENTURY

A EXCEPTIONALLY RARE CARVED DING BEAN-SHAPED PILLOW
NORTHERN SONG-JIN DYNASTY, 12TH CENTURY
The slightly concave top is decorated with a carp swimming amidst lotus blooms, lily pads, and other aquatic plants framed by a running scroll border and the tall sides are embellished with a wide band of scrollwork, all carved through the pale iron-brown slip to reveal the white ground and covered overall with a transparent glossy glaze. The base is left unglazed and has four small vent apertures.
11 3/8 in. (28.9 cm.) long, cloth box

Provenance
J. J. Lally & Co., New York, no. 4854.