Bencharong Ware Jar (tho)

Accession Number
2005/1.465A&B

Title
Bencharong Ware Jar (tho)

Artist(s)
Chinese

Artist Nationality
Chinese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
19th century

Medium & Support
porcelain with overglaze enamel painting

Dimensions
6 11/16 in. x 4 5/16 in. x 4 5/16 in. ( 17 cm x 11 cm x 11 cm )

Credit Line
Gift of Doris Duke's Southeast Asian Art Collection

Label copy
The 'tho' jar has a shape that is unique to ceramics produced for the Thai market: the bowl itself usually has a slightly flaring foot, and the domed lid rises to a bud-like knob, calling to mind the traditional spires that top sacred Buddhist architecture.

Subject matter
Bencharong ware ceramic jar for food offering, flowers, or incense. Made in China for the export market with a lid that that mimics the spires of Thai Buddhist architecture. These Thai shapes and patterns were produced by Chinese artisans using model books supplied by the Thai.

Physical Description
Covered ceramic jar with brilliantly colored Thai-inspired overglaze enamel painting in floral patterns. The lid mimics the spires of Thai Buddhist architecture, rising from the gentle curve of the lower portion of the lid and alternating between solid bands of green, and multicolored floral patterns. The green covers what would be the underside of each of the colorful three tiers of "roof" segments, culminating in what appears to be a red and gold lotus bud at the top of the lid.

Primary Object Classification
Ceramic

Primary Object Type
jar

Additional Object Classification(s)
Ritual Object

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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2 Related Resources

Porcelain
(Part of: Tremel Ceramic Production Collection)

& Author Notes

Web Use Permitted

On display

UMMA Gallery Location ➜ FFW, 2nd floor ➜ 217 (Gallery of South, Southeast and Central Asian Art)