Aug 5, 2005
Aug 5, 2005
Nov 25, 2008
Jul 28, 2005
Aug 5, 2005
Aug 5, 2005

Basin

Basin

1127–1279

Porcelaneous stoneware, Guan ware

Diameter: 24.2 cm (9 1/2 in.)

John L. Severance Fund 1957.48

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 blue-green glaze is webbed with a wide network of dark brown crackle as well as finer webs of light golden-brown and colorless crackle. The crackle 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.

See also
Department: 
Chinese Art
Type of artwork: 
Ceramic

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 email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.