By Official Kiln of Southern Song Dynasty
Height: 12.8cm
Diameter: 3.2cm
Base Diameter: 5.1cm

Unearthed in 1952 from the Tomb of Madam Ren in Qingpu County, Shanghai, this piece has a light glazed mouth rim and base rim of purple or iron color. So, it is endowed with the characteristics of "zikou tiezu" (literally: purple mouth and iron foot) peculiar to the products of official kilns.

The official kilns fall into the following two categories: one operated during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) and the other in the period of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). Established by Emperor Huizong during the Reign of Zhenghe (1111 -1118), the location of the northern official kilns have not yet been discovered. As for the two ancient kilns unearthed at Fenghuangshan and Wuguishan in the outskirts of Hangzhou, they belong to the offical kilns of the Southern Song Dynasty.

Produced by the official kiln of the Southern Song Dynasty, this jar with lugs is precious for its delicate paste, simple decoration and magnificent color. Hence, it is universally regarded as a treasured piece produced by the official kiln.