China, Fujian province, Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279) / 1100s–1200s
Tea Bowl
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Tea Bowl as ceramic (China, Fujian province, Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279) · 1100s–1200s).
The reddish-brown streaks and spots have been affectionately termed "hare's fur" among connoisseurs.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this ceramic as Stoneware with black “hare’s fur” glaze and metal-bound rim, Jian ware.
The museum's collection notes: Due to its exceptional size, this Fujian tea bowl is rather rare. The enjoyment of Jian ware rests with the glaze transmutation due to iron in the glaze, which developed into reddish-brown streaks and spots against a rich black glaze after firing. Connoisseurs called these iron formations "hare’s fur" marks, and the ware was very popular with the tea cultures in China and Japan.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtTea BowlOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.