Northern Song Dynasty Sturdily potted with an ovoid body sweeping up from a narrow base to a broad shoulder and a waisted neck, the exterior applied with a white slip, skilfully incised through the white slip to the buff-coloured body with a broad frieze enclosing blossoming peonies issuing from curling leafy scrolls, between two bands of lappets around the foot and neck, covered overall with a translucent milky glaze. 29.5cm (11 1/2in) high.