Bowl with shallow basin and hot-water receptacle

The shape of this piece is known as wenwan ("warming bowl"). The deep, hollow foot has a hole at the bottom that can be plugged to hold hot water, keeping the food in the basin warm. Appearing during the late Song dynasty, the original model for this type of bowl is uncertain, but kilns at Jincun produced such bowls with incised flowers on the basin during the Southern Song (Zhejiang Light Industry Bureau 1989: pl. 39, fig. 2). Later pieces, produced in a variety of glazes, usually carry complex decorative compositions. This early example of the type is charming for its simplicity.