Artwork Page for Tea Bowl

Details / Information for Tea Bowl

Tea Bowl

建窯茶盞

1100s–1200s

China, Fujian province, Southern Song dynasty

(1127-1279)
Medium
Stoneware with black “hare’s fur” glaze and metal-bound rim, Jian ware
Measurements
Diameter: 17.8 cm (7 in.); Overall: 8.7 cm (3 7/16 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1948.206
Public Domain
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Location
238 Chinese Ceramics
Print
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Did You Know?

The reddish-brown streaks and spots have been affectionately termed "hare's fur" among connoisseurs.

Description

Due to its exceptional size, this Fujian tea bowl is rather rare. The enjoyment of Jian ware rests with the glaze transmutation due to iron in the glaze, which developed into reddish-brown streaks and spots against a rich black glaze after firing. Connoisseurs called these iron formations "hare’s fur" marks, and the ware was very popular with the tea cultures in China and Japan.
A stoneware vessel takes an inverted conical shape, resting on a sliver of a circular foot of dark brown clay. Glazed in deep blue and black, the surface features fine, vertical brown streaks that cascade toward the base. This glaze ends in a thick, uneven ridge, exposing the textured body below. A narrow metallic band wraps the flared rim, while the steeply sloping sides accentuate shadows pooling around the vessel's narrow bottom.

Tea Bowl

1100s–1200s

China, Fujian province, Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279)

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