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Description

A ceramic jar that has a broad base with a recessed foot. The body of the jar swells gradually, first in a concave, then in a convex curve reaching a maximum dimension at the shoulder, and incurves sharply to a small mouth. The coarse thick stoneware body is covered in white slip and decorated with underglaze in iron black with two similar motifs placed directly opposite one another, of which these consist of two "x" forms juxtaposed to form a central diamond shape, containing a sketchy floral form. The triangles created by other arms of the x''s also enclose minimal leaf forms. Covered over all by a thin transparent glaze showing a medium fine crackle.

History Of Use

Tz'u-chou Wares have been produced for nearly a thousand years, almost exclusively for the domestic market and for everyday use. In the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 C.E.) some orders for wine jars were received from the court. Nevertheless the wares have always demonstrated a freedom and spontaneity in their decoration which separates them conceptually from the elegant controlled products designed for court use.