Accession Number
1972/2.65A&B

Title
Jar

Artist(s)
Chinese

Artist Nationality
Chinese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1271-1368

Medium & Support
stoneware with glaze and teakwood top

Dimensions
9 13/16 in x 6 3/4 in x 6 3/4 in (25 cm x 17.2 cm x 17.2 cm)

Credit Line
Transfer from the College of Architecture and Design

Label copy
1972/2.65a: baluster-form vase, greyish-white slip decorated in brown slip,
covered by a transparent glaze
1972/2.65b: Teakwood hat-shaped lid (later addition?), carved in slight relief
and pierced, topped by a bulbous finial.

Subject matter
This is a cizhou (磁州) ware inverted pyriform covered vase of the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368).
Cizhou ware has been well known since the Song dynasty with production lasting through the Qing, but it reached its zenith during the Jin and Yuan dynasties, where the forms were especially robust and decoration finely executed. The ware is characterized by its high contrast dark brown to black and white wares, although over a dozen types of decoration can be used. These techniques include painting, sgraffito, incision, overglaze, underglaze, along with the application of multi-colored glazes. The variety of sub-styles is a result from being produced at a variety of Northern kilns in Hebei, Henan, Shandong, and Shanxi. These everyday, if not somewhat plebian wares consisted primarily of large jars, vases, pillows, and bowls.

Physical Description
This stoneware inverted pyriform vase has a wide short neck and wide ,spread shoulder that curves and tapers to a narrow flared foot. It is covered in a white slip and painted with brown-black underglaze in three wide calligraphic styled floral spray bands that frame a central wide lotus flower band against a meander background. The vase is finished in a clear glaze. The mouth is covered with a tall domed dark teakwood lid with wide flange and inverted peach-shaped knob. The dome is pierced and carved with a floral pattern.

Primary Object Classification
Ceramic

Primary Object Type
jar

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
Cizhou
ceramic (material)
jars
stoneware (pottery)