Artwork Page for Basin

Details / Information for Basin

Basin

官窯圓洗

1127–1279

China, Zhejiang province, Hangzhou, Southern Song dynasty

(1127-1279)
Medium
porcelaneous stoneware, Guan ware
Measurements
Diameter: 24.2 cm (9 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1957.48
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
238 Chinese Ceramics
Print
?

Did You Know?

The base shows that the basin was fired on 17 small spurs arranged in two concentric circles.

Description

Guan ware was the official ware fired at the Southern Song imperial kilns in Hangzhou. Multiple glazing is characteristic of this ware. The total thickness of the glaze can be greater than the clay body that supports it. Here, the thick gray-green glaze is webbed with a wide network of dark brown crackles as well as finer webs of light golden-brown and colorless crackles. The crackle pattern was developed after firing, due to the different rates of expansion and contraction of the body and the glaze. It was consciously exploited to achieve an aesthetic effect and was stained at different stages during the cooling process.
A stoneware basin takes a shallow, circular shape with slightly sloping walls. A pale, muted bluish-gray glaze covers the vessel, featuring a dense network of dark brown cracks that create an intricate, web-like pattern. These fine lines crawl across both the interior and exterior, while light catches on the smooth, glossy finish. A contrasting reddish-brown band marks the top rim, bordering the cool, shattered aesthetic of the glaze.

Basin

1127–1279

China, Zhejiang province, Hangzhou, Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279)

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork