Accession Number
1964/2.5

Title
Bowl

Artist(s)
Chinese

Artist Nationality
Chinese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1368-1644

Medium & Support
stoneware with glaze

Dimensions
1 9/16 in x 6 11/16 in (3.9 cm x 17 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Caroline I. Plumer for the James Marshall Plumer Collection

Label copy
The subtle patterns in incised celadon ceramics are the result of the translucent glaze pooling in the lines that were carved when the bowl was leather-hard. Potters often looked to paintings for their designs, and it is easy to imagine the iris-like plant shown here as an ink painting.

Subject matter
This is a molded eight-lobed rim stoneware dish with incised central floral motif from the longquan kilns of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). The eight lobed foliate rim resembles lotus petals, while the central floral composition resembles scholary ink paintings. 

Longquan is the most representative, widespread, and esteemed ware of the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279). Production started during the Five Dynasties period (907–960) at the kilns near the market town of Longquan, where in later dynasties much of the ware was collected for shipping. Technological advances such as the development of a multi-chambered, rising kiln and the use of stacked saggars (protective clay boxes) allowed for increased production in the Southern Song. In Yuan (1279–1368) and Ming (1368–1644) times, the kilns supplied wares to a domestic market as well as to overseas markets in Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia.

Physical Description
This stoneware shallow bowl has a flat bottom on a foot ring with everted molded eight-panel foliate rim. The interior is incised with plant design and covered in a green celadon glaze with craquelure finish. 

Primary Object Classification
Ceramic

Primary Object Type
bowl

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
bowl
bowls (vessels)
celadon (glaze)
ceramic (material)
flower (motif)
stoneware (pottery)