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Jar Cover

Chinese

Artwork Details

Jar Cover
9th - 10th century
Chinese
stoneware with glaze
1 1/2 in x 4 in x 4 in (3.81 cm x 10.16 cm x 10.16 cm)
Given in memory of James Marshall Plumer by John Maxon, Architecture and Design '41
1961/2.1

On Display

Not currently on display

Description

Subject Matter:

A hemispherical lid for a cizhou ware jar of the Song dynasty (960-1279), which resembles a bowl and may have been used as such. 

Cizhou (磁州) ware was 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:

This stoneware hemispherical form with a direct rim has an interior covered with a creamy white glaze, and an exterior covered with a dark brown glaze.

Usage Rights:

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