Yue ware covered box with design of three flowers

This box was made at a late Yue-ware kiln around the time the Longquan kilns were beginning to produce a distinctive ware. The flat shape of the cover came into vogue during the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127). The subtle, translucent gray-green glaze accents the molded peony motif, which is further enhanced with delicate incising and combing. The fluid design and its dense arrangement over the cover's entire surface are typical of the finest Northern Song Yue ware.