Yaozhou ware bowl with molded design of two infants among foliage

Bowl with small foot and slightly flaring rim.
Clay: grayish-brown stoneware.
Glaze: transparent, grayish-green, bubbly.
Decoration: moulded, two babies amid flowering vines inside.

Historical period(s)
Jin dynasty, 12th-mid 13th century
Medium
Stoneware with celadon glaze
Style
Yaozhou ware
Dimensions
H x W: 4.9 x 12.1 cm (1 15/16 x 4 3/4 in)
Geography
China, Shaanxi province, Huangbao, Yaozhou kilns
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1961.19
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Bowl

Keywords
China, green glaze, Jin dynasty (1115 - 1234), Yaozhou ware
Provenance

From at least 1954 or 1955 to 1961
C. T. Loo & Company, New York, from at least 1954 or 1955 [1]

From 1961
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from C. T. Loo & Company on May 3, 1961 [2]

Notes:

[1] See A. G. Wenley's letter to Frank Caro, dated April 25, 1961, in which he lists the dish among the objects left with the Freer Gallery by Caro for consideration of purchase in 1954 and 1955, copy in object file.

[2] See C. T. Loo's & Co.'s invoice, dated May 3, 1961, copy in object file.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

C.T. Loo & Company 1914-1948

Description

Bowl with small foot and slightly flaring rim.
Clay: grayish-brown stoneware.
Glaze: transparent, grayish-green, bubbly.
Decoration: moulded, two babies amid flowering vines inside.

Label

This bowl bears the thin, translucent, olive green glaze characteristic of Yaozhou ware, the representative celadon of north China. The glaze makes visible the fine detail of mold-impressed decoration, consisting of two chubby boys bearing floral scrolls, which symbolizes a wish for male progeny.

Published References
  • Oriental Ceramics: The World's Great Collections. 12 vols., Tokyo. vol. 10, pl. 37.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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