Narcissus Basin in Blue-green Glaze Porcelain, Ju Ware Northern Sung, first half of 12th c. Height: 6.9 cm, length: 23 cm, width: 16.4 cm     This oval-shaped planter has an everted mouth fitted with a copper rim. The sides are steep and the flat base has protruding sides and is supported by four "cloud-head" feet. The entire body is covered with a lustrous and uniform sky-blue glaze. The walls are thin, but the base and feet are thick. On the underside of the base is engraved a seven-character regulated versed by the Ch'ien-lung emperor (r. 1736-1795) in clerical script along with two seals. The base has six fine spur marks which reveal only a little of the creamy white clay.     The glaze became slightly thicker towards the base, hence the darker green color, while the rim and ridges are lighter with a tinge of pink. Various shades of light pink occur throughout the surface and noticeable on the ridges. This work is unique for Ju ware because it is does not have crackled glaze. Very little of the flow of unmelted quartzitic material is evident in the glaze, further enhancing the viscous quality. The rare and lustrous glaze of this piece exactly fits the description by Sung writers of the beautiful serenity of a clear blue sky after a rain.