Jar Item Number: Edz1427 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
An octagonal ceramic jar with a flat base, shoulders that slope sharply to short collar and a wide mouth. Heavy porcelaneous body is slipped in white. Painted in dark brown on one facet with five characters, below which is an oval cartouche, and from these, there is a peony spray of dark brown leaves with lighter brown flowers, spreading horizontally over two adjoining panels. Both cartouche outline and flower petals are emphasized with incising through to the under lying slip. All beneath an over all heavy transparent glaze. An even network of crackling shows extensive light purple and brown staining.
History Of Use
Produced for more than a thousand years, from the 10th century to the present, Tz'u-chou ware comes in a wide variety of shapes and styles, having roots in the T'ang ceramic industry of north China. The use of white slip under a transparent glaze is one of the most distinctive characteristics of the ware.
Iconographic Meaning
The peony is a symbol of spring, an emblem of affection.
Narrative
Tz'u-chou ware. Acquired in Amsterdam.
Item History
- Made in Hebei, China between 1300 and 1400
- Collected by Richard Pearson
- Owned by Oriental Art before June 26, 1979
- Received from Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) and Oriental Art (Seller) on June 26, 1979
What
Who
- Culture
- Chinese
- Field Collector
- Richard Pearson
- Previous Owner
- Oriental Art
- Received from
- Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) and Oriental Art (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Hebei, China
When
- Creation Date
- between 1300 and 1400
- Ownership Date
- before June 26, 1979
- Acquisition Date
- on June 26, 1979
Other
- Item Classes
- ceramics
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0539/0001