for Indonesian export market; white glaze; globular body surmounted by ringed neck tapering toward a flattened stylized phoenix head with applied details, below a trumpet-form mouth

Pheasant-Head Ewer, 10th-11th century

Unknown artist, expand_more

Tall vases with rilled necks and simple phoenix heads positioned under a flared mouth have been excavated from Liao territory in north China. This type, however, with its relatively strong modeling, long neck, and squat ewer form is associated with Guangdong province in extreme south China. The hard bodied, creamy-white glazed ware often incorporated incised or modeled ornamentation of an exotic bird. The unperforated beak of the bird does not act as a spout, suggesting that the vessel may have functioned as a vase rather than a ewer or possibly it was intended only as a non-functional bural vessel simulating the shape of a ewer.

Details
Title
Pheasant-Head Ewer
Role
Artist
Accession Number
95.91.3
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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for Indonesian export market; white glaze; globular body surmounted by ringed neck tapering toward a flattened stylized phoenix head with applied details, below a trumpet-form mouth