Accession Number
1993/1.85

Title
Jar

Artist(s)
Chinese

Artist Nationality
Chinese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1550-1644

Medium & Support
stoneware with slip and glaze

Dimensions
24 in x 17 11/16 in x 17 11/16 in (60.96 cm x 44.93 cm x 44.93 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Domino's Pizza, Inc.

Subject matter
A stoneware cizhou (磁州) tall storage jar of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).

Cizhou (磁州) 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 the 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 were used.  These techniques include painting, sgraffito, incision, overglaze, and 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
A tall ovoid form that tapers to the base with slightly wider shoulders, and a wide short neck with a direct rim.  It is covered in a white slip and painted with dark brown-black calligraphic and free-form decoration applied in rows between wavy bands around the body and shoulder.  There are wavy bands around neck, and it has a dark brown rim. 

Primary Object Classification
Ceramic

Primary Object Type
jar

Additional Object Classification(s)
Ceramic

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
Cizhou
ceramic (material)
jars
stoneware (pottery)
vase