Pear-Shaped Bottle with Design of Two Stylized Birds in Flight (Northern blackware of Cizhou type)
Artist
Chinese
, Henan province
Date12th or early 13th century, Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Mediumstoneware with iron-rich lime-alkali glaze and decoration in russet iron oxide slip
Dimensions29.7 cm (11 11/16 in.)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineAlexander H. Bullock Fund and Eliza S. Paine Fund
Object number1993.37
DescriptionStoneware with iron-rich lime-alkali glaze and decoration in russet ironoxide slip
Label TextCeramic pear-shaped bottles originated in the 11th century, copying similarly shaped vessels made of silver. Bottles of this form were primarily used for serving wine. Different iron-oxide glazes were used for the decoration and the background of this bottle. After the piece was fired in oxidation at about 1250–1320ºC and then cooled, the slight reduction in the amount of iron in the slip-glaze of the bird design made it stand out lighter in contrast to the blackish glaze of the background. The two abstractly-painted birds were depicted with bold, calligraphic strokes and from two perspectives: the heads are painted in profile and the bodies and feathered wings seen as if from above.ProvenanceS. Marchant and Son, 120 Kensington Church Street, London W8 4BH, Great Britain
On View
On view
Chinese
11th or 12th century, Northern Song dynasty (960–1127)
Chinese
12th or 13th century, Northern Song dynasty (960–1127) or Southern song dynasty (1127–1279)
Chinese
12th or 13th century, Northern Song dynasty (960–1127) or Southern song dynasty (1127–1279)
Chinese
late 11th century –early 12th century, Northern Song dynasty (960-1127)
Chinese
11th or 12th century, Northern Song dynasty (960–1127)
Chinese
8th or 9th century, Tang dynasty (618–906)
Chinese
Late Northern Song Dynasty (1042–1127)
Chinese
12th century, Northern Song dynasty (960–1127) or Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Chinese
early 15th century, Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Chinese
Late Yuan dynsaty (1279–1368)
Chinese
Kangxi period (1662–1722) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911)