Miniature hand warmer or incense burner with lid

Hand warmer or incense burner. Small dome-shaped wheel-thrown vessel. Three parallel vertical slits cut in each of three equidistantly spaced locations on shoulder, their placement defined by a pair of lightly incised horizontal lines. Flat bottom, beveled edge. Lid with knob handle fits plain circular opening on top.
Clay: porcelain, very fine, creamy white.
Glaze: transparent; slightly ivory-toned, greenish where thicker; crackled.

Historical period(s)
Sui or Tang dynasty, 7th century
Medium
Porcelaneous stoneware with transparent ivory-toned glaze
Dimensions
H x Diam: 6.5 × 6.8 cm (2 9/16 × 2 11/16 in)
Geography
China, Hebei or Henan province
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1984.7a-f
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Incense burner

Keywords
China, incense, porcelain, stoneware, Sui dynasty (581 - 618), Tang dynasty (618 - 907)
Provenance

To 1982
Helen Dalling Ling (d. 1982), Shanghai and Singapore. [1]

From 1982 to 1984
Dr. Tien Gi Ling, Singapore, by bequest from his wife, Helen Dalling Ling in May 1982. [2]

From 1984
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Dr. Tien Gi Ling, Singapore. [3]

Notes:

[1] Helen Dalling Ling operated "The Green Dragon" antiques shop in Shanghai from 1938 to 1950, and a shop under her own name in Singapore from 1951 to 1982. According to the information supplied by Dr. Ling, this object was in Mrs. Ling's general collection and was probably collected in Singapore. Also see Curatorial Remark 8 in the object record.

[2] Helen Dalling Ling left a bequest to her husband, Dr. Tien Gi Ling on May 1982.

[3] Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List after 1920 file, Collections Management Office.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Mr. Tien Gi Ling
Helen D. Ling died 1982

Description

Hand warmer or incense burner. Small dome-shaped wheel-thrown vessel. Three parallel vertical slits cut in each of three equidistantly spaced locations on shoulder, their placement defined by a pair of lightly incised horizontal lines. Flat bottom, beveled edge. Lid with knob handle fits plain circular opening on top.
Clay: porcelain, very fine, creamy white.
Glaze: transparent; slightly ivory-toned, greenish where thicker; crackled.

Published References
  • Sarah Booth. The Freer's Rare Catch: Gallery Acquires 30 Flawless Ancient Chinese Ceramics. Washington, May 23, 1984. p. B2.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
SI Usage Statement

Usage Conditions Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery welcome information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

citation | Save this image How to download an image | Request Permission | Terms of Use