Yuan dynasty Cizhou stoneware bowl

A deep Chinese Cizhou glazed bowl with a russet stripe pattern.

Bowls of this type have been excavated from the Guantai kiln site in Cixian, Hebei province and are dated to the early to mid-14th century.

Cizhou glazed ceramics are a type of stoneware originating from the Cizhou region in northern China, particularly during the Song (960–1279 AD), Yuan (1271–1368 AD), and Ming (1368–1644 AD) dynasties. Known for their durable, rustic quality, Cizhou wares feature rich, earthy glazes that range from warm browns to deep blacks. Decorative techniques often include slip decoration, incising, and painting, showcasing floral, animal, and geometric motifs. Common forms include bowls, jars, and dishes, making them both functional and aesthetically appealing. Cizhou ceramics were popular in domestic markets and widely exported, influencing ceramic styles in other regions.

Related bowls are in the Victoria and Albert Museum, illustrated in B. Gray, Sung Porcelain and Stoneware, London/Boston, 1984, p. 121, no. 97; the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, illustrated by He Li, Chinese Ceramics, New York, 1996, p. 181, no. 378; the David J. Menke Collection, illustrated by R. Mowry, Hare's Fur, Tortoiseshell, and Partridge Feathers, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 1996, p. 170, no. 58