A white porcelain dish, fired during the Liao dynasty. The vessel is neatly proportioned with a moderate depth, and four spur marks remain visible in the well. A clear glaze, applied directly without the use of slip, carries a faint yellowish warmth within the white, lending the surface an overall gentle and subdued character.

Liao dynasty white porcelains were produced under the influence of Ding ware and are sometimes referred to as Hokutei (Hokutei: “Northern Ding”) or Dotei (Dotei: “Earthen Ding”). Yet their essential quality lies not in the pursuit of courtly, regulated beauty, but in a simplicity rooted in practical use, akin to wildflowers growing unselfconsciously in the field. This unadorned presence seems to anticipate the later development of Katade (Katade: robust, plain white wares) on the Korean peninsula, suggesting an continuity in the white porcelain traditions nurtured in the northern regions.

Fine surface scratches are visible, and several small chips and abrasions can be found along the rim. The glaze retains a healthy lustre overall, without an overly dry or fatigued appearance.