brown glaze; wide shoulder with short narrow neck; 4 bands of cut away (sgraffiato) decoration (from top) leafy scroll, key-fret, floral with twisting vines, stylized leaves and flowers; has fitted blue box

Ovoid Bottle, late 12th century

Unknown artist, expand_more

Probably intended for wine, this ovoid bottle is covered with a nearly black glaze into which a decorative scheme was incised and carved before firing. The dark glaze design elements appear against the light grey ground of the exposed body clay. Commonly known as the "cut-glaze" technique, this decoration was most likely inspired by the partially glazed brown and white ceramics produced during the Tang dynasty (ninth century) at the Huangbu kilns.

The technique was fully developed at a number of Cizhou type kilns during the early Northern Song (960-1127) and it rose to prominence during the Jin period (1115-1234). This particularly fine example with precisely carved floral patterns was made in the Huairen kilns in northern Shanxi province.

Details
Title
Ovoid Bottle
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2000.86.2
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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brown glaze; wide shoulder with short narrow neck; 4 bands of cut away (sgraffiato) decoration (from top) leafy scroll, key-fret, floral with twisting vines, stylized leaves and flowers; has fitted blue box