Mold for bowl

Six surviving ding molds, with either specific dates or the names of their maker, set a standard for dating the designs of ding ware from the late twelfth through early thirteenth century (Feng 1987: 199; CGK Zenshu 1981 vol. 9: pls. 129-31). Dated to 1184, one of these molds has a single-flower in frontal view at the interior base surrounded by side ornaments, similar to the design seen in this piece. One remarkable feature of this piece is its accenting of the shallow relief by the use of both deep and shallow carvings, which at first glance would make the mass-produced bowls produced with this mold appear to be hand-carved.