conical shaped tea bowl; dark brown glaze with single leaf design at interior; foot unglazed; has own storage box

Teabowl with Leaf Decor, 12th-13th century

Unknown artist, expand_more

Leaf pattern bowls rank amongst the rarest and most celebrated products of the Jizhou kilns in Hubei province. The decoration was apparently achieved by affixing a leaf to the interior of the bowl before immersing it in the iron-rich slurry used to create the dark brown glaze used at Jizhou. In the heat of the kiln, the natural chemicals in the leaf react with the glaze, rendering it nearly transparent. It is assumed that the many Chan (Zen) monks who must have used such vessels found the naturalism of the decor especially to their liking.

Details
Title
Teabowl with Leaf Decor
Role
Artist
Accession Number
98.74
Curator Approved

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conical shaped tea bowl; dark brown glaze with single leaf design at interior; foot unglazed; has own storage box