Accession Number2005/2.87A&B
TitleBowl with Duck-Shaped Spoon
Artist(s)ChineseArtist NationalityChinese (culture or style)Object Creation Date317-439Medium & Supportglaze on stonewareDimensions 2 1/16 in x 4 15/16 in x 4 15/16 in (5.24 cm x 12.54 cm x 12.54 cm)
Credit LineGift of Ping and Zenobia LeeSubject matterA shallow celadon
mingqi (明器) (literally "bright objects") bowl with a duck-shaped spoon of the Eastern Jin dynasty (317-439). It is sculpted to resemble a duck swimming in a pond.
Zhejiang
yue celadon potters of the Eastern Jin dynasty continued the Han dynasty custom of making
mingqi items to supply tombs with everything the deceased needed for the afterlife. Instead of creating full houses with courtyards and livestock pens.
Yue potters adapted, simplified, and shrank livestock pens by creating shallow wheel thrown bowls and placing a single dog, goat, sheep or pig inside them.
Physical DescriptionA shallow basin with a flat bottom and gently curved sides, a slightly inverted direct rim, and a single duck shaped spoon, seperate but meant to be placed in the center of the base. It is covered in a gray-green celadon glaze.
Primary Object Classification Ceramic Primary Object TypebowlAdditional Object Classification(s)CeramicCollection AreaAsianRightsIf 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
animal housing (farm structures)
architectural models
bowls (vessels)
celadon (glaze)
ceramic (material)
ducks (birds)
livestock
stoneware (pottery)