Yue ware basin

Object Details

• Description

  Proto-Yue ware.

  Clay: not visible, but probably fine gray stoneware.

  Glaze: thin, transparent, matt, with slight greenish tinge; all over.

  Decoration: stamped and incised in clay; four animal masks with rings applied in relief outside. Rim repaired.

• Label

  The ornamental appliquéd animal masks and stamped and incised decor recall features of the basin's bronze prototype. The relatively even glaze makes this piece an especially fine example among a large group of similar basins. The basin was fired on small wads of clay typical of the kilns that produce Yue ware; the wads prevented the melted glaze from sticking to the supporting surface during firing.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Shades of Green and Blue: Chinese Celadon Ceramics (July 15, 1997 to September 7, 2004)

  Chinese Ceramics (March 15, 1982 to July 10, 1986)

  Chinese Art (March 9, 1981 to March 12, 1982)

  Chinese Ceramics (May 9, 1980 to March 6, 1981)

  Chinese Ceramics (April 11, 1978 to September 4, 1980)

  Chinese Calligraphy and Ceramics (April 18, 1977 to April 8, 1978)

  Chinese Art (January 1, 1963 to March 6, 1981)

  Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Ceramics (March 7, 1957 to January 1, 1963)

  Centennial Exhibition, Gallery 13 (November 10, 1955 to March 1, 1957)

• Origin

  Zhejiang Province, China

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Vessel

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  200s, 300s

• Place

  China, Zhejiang Province

• Topic

  Art, Stoneware, Chinese Art, Ceramics, Proto-Yue ware, Western Jin dynasty (265 - 317)

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Vessels (containers)