Accession Number
1993/1.79

Title
Jar

Artist(s)
Chinese

Artist Nationality
Chinese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1570

Medium & Support
stoneware with iron slip and glaze

Dimensions
21 5/8 in x 13 3/8 in x 13 3/8 in (55 cm x 34 cm x 34 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Domino's Pizza, Inc.

Subject matter
This is a tall stoneware cizhou (磁州) jar of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), used for storage.

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 tall, ovoid jar tapers to the base from slightly wider shoulders. Its wide neck has a slightly flared rim. The jar is covered in a white slip, then painted with dark brown-black calligraphic and free-form decoration, which is applied in rows between wavy bands around the body. There are a series of straight and wavy bands around shoulder and neck. The jar's mouth has a dark brown rim, and the entire form 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)
jar
jars
stoneware (pottery)