Bulb bowl with impressed character san (three)

Historical period(s)
Yuan or Ming dynasty, 14th-15th century
Medium
Stoneware with Jun glaze and copper pigment
Style
Jun ware
Dimensions
H x Diam: 8.8 × 22.6 cm (3 7/16 × 8 7/8 in)
Geography
China, Henan province
Credit Line
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1913.150
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Bowl

Keywords
China, Jun ware, Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644), stoneware, Yuan dynasty (1279 - 1368)
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Label

Potted plants that changed with the seasons filled the interiors of palaces and wealthy homes in China. This sturdy bulb bowl was part of a set acquired for such use. Stamped on its base is the numeral "three," for ease of finding the matching size of saucer. Blue glaze was a perennial favorite on plant containers as it offered an effective way to set off the colors of the foliage and flowers. The lavender-blue glaze of this bowl, called Jun, was invented at kilns in northern China and revived later at southern kilns.

Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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