Jar

Accession Number
1993/1.102

Title
Jar

Artist(s)
Chinese

Artist Nationality
Chinese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1115-1234

Medium & Support
stoneware with slip and glaze

Dimensions
10 1/16 in x 10 3/16 in x 10 3/16 in (25.6 cm x 25.8 cm x 25.8 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Domino's Pizza, Inc.

Subject matter
This is a northern cizhou 磁州 jar of the Jin dynasty (​1115-1234). Cizhou ware has 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 large stoneware jar with wide shoulders tapers to a narrow foot and has a wide mouth. It has a very short, straight neck with direct rim. The jar is painted in white slip with free-form black calligraphic slip confined between bands around the body. It is covered in a clear glaze. 

Primary Object Classification
Ceramic

Primary Object Type
jar

Collection Area
Asian

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

& Author Notes

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