NORTHERN SONG-JIN DYNASTY (960-1234)

It was a common practice of the potters at the Ding kilns in Hebei province to fire their bowls and dishes upside down in order to prevent warping of the thin walls. This method necessitated that the rims be wiped clean of glaze to avoid adhesion to the kiln structure.

Compare the pair of Ding foliate dishes of similar shape, but of smaller size, and another single example also of slightly larger size, from the Falk Collection, sold in Christie's New York, 16 October 2001, lots 50 and 51.