Accession Number
1987/2.51

Title
Ewer

Artist(s)
Chinese

Artist Nationality
Chinese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
618-906

Medium & Support
stoneware with underglaze iron and oxides and glaze

Dimensions
2 7/8 in x 4 3/16 in x 3 11/16 in (7.3 cm x 10.64 cm x 9.37 cm)

Credit Line
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection Fund

Subject matter
A Changsha zhihu (执壶) ewer with applique decor from the Tang dynasty (618-906), the form possibly in imitation of a bird with the spout and handle the head and tail, and applied shoulder decoration, its wings.

The the tongguan kiln, also known as the Changsha kiln in Hunan of the Tang dynasty was known for the production of over 200 different forms for daily use made for export to Central Asia and the Near East.  They were mostly utilitarian wares glazed in white, caramel and brown colored glazes with iron-oxide underglaze brushwork, as well as applique molded decorations. 

Physical Description
A stoneware globular ewer on a footring with a wide mouth and a straight, short thick spout on one side opposite a short, curved, protruding handle.  There are two cross-hatched curved appliques on opposing shoulders of the ewer.  It is covered in a straw-colored celadon glaze with underglaze iron oxide and suffused blue splashes. 

Primary Object Classification
Ceramic

Primary Object Type
ewer

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
ceramic (material)
ewers (vessels)
pitcher
stoneware (pottery)