Jar with Birds and Bamboo

CultureChinese
Titles
  • Jar with Birds and Bamboo
Datelate 13th–late 14th century
PlaceChina
MediumStoneware with iron glaze and white slip (Cizhou ware)
DimensionsOverall: 12 × 13 × 13 in. (30.5 × 33 × 33 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number2009.553
Non exposé

Explore Further

Department
Asian Art
Object Type
Description

This wine jar is an example of Cizhou ware, a type of stoneware produced in the northern Chinese provinces from the 10th to 14th centuries. The bamboo and magpie motif is rendered in a loose and brushy style.


 The pale background on this jar was achieved by applying a coating of slip (semi-liquid clay) to the body of the vessel before it was placed in the kiln for firing. In addition to slip painting, Cizhou ware incorporates a variety of decorative techniques such as sgraffito (a technique in which a top layer of color is scratched to reveal a color beneath), monochromatic and colored glazes, polychrome overglaze painting, and incised and stamped designs.


 


 The birds and plants both have symbolic significance. Magpies were associated with happy news and the arrival of guests. Bamboo is considered to represent the intellectual ideals of upright integrity and accommodating flexibility.


 


ProvenanceFrederick Knight, Amsterdam; Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Marvin L. Gordon; through J.J. Lally & Co., New York;

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Cizhou Pillow with Tiger Design
960–1279, Sung Dynasty
Tz'u Chou/Cizhou ware
75.351
Overall.
Ichikawa Toru
2020
Stoneware with textured white glaze and gold overlay
2023.329
Bowl
mid- 10th–early 12th century
Stoneware with blue glaze (Jun ware)
97.473
Mizusashi
18th century
Stoneware with glaze (Iga ware)
90.485.A,.B
Bottle Vase
Kiyomuzu Rokubei VI
20th century
Stoneware with glaze (Shino ware)
82.555
Tea Bowl
Tsujimura Shiro
c. 1979
Stoneware with glaze (Shino ware)
90.373
Jyubako
Hiroyuki Yamada
2004
Stoneware and ash glaze (Shigaraki ware)
2005.331.A-.D
Vase
Hiroyuki Yamada
2004
Stoneware and ash glaze (Shigaraki ware)
2005.332
photographed by Conservation following 2006 treatment
1900–1940
Earthenware with slip
44.6
Nagazara Plate
1688–1704
Porcelain with wucai (five color) glaze (Arita ware, Imari ware)
2009.1316
Vase (one of a pair)
16th century
Stoneware with raised slip and enamels (Fahua ware)
2013.498.2