The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 21, 2025

Phoenix-Headed Ewer

1000s

China, possibly Guangdong Province, Xicun, Northern Song dynasty

(960–1127)
porcelain with pale greenish-white glaze
Overall: 38.7 cm (15 1/4 in.)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Severance A. Millikin 1965.468
Location: 238 Chinese Ceramics

Did You Know?

The phoenix's beak forms a spout for pouring.

Description

Phoenix-headed ewers of this type have been unearthed at Xicun in Guangdong province. Wares with a thick and coarse body were fired in local Xicun kilns, but those with a thin and refined body—such as this piece—were likely produced at Jingdezhen in Jiangxi province.
  • ?–1965
    Severance A. [1895–1985] and Greta [Marguerite Steckerl] Millikin [1903–1989], Cleveland, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1965–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1966. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1966. Reproduced: p. 255 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1969. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1969. Reproduced: p. 255 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1978. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1978. Reproduced: p. 336 archive.org
    Hopper, Robin. Functional Pottery : Form and Aesthetic in Pots of Purpose. 2nd ed. Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2000. Reproduced: p. 83
    Leidy, Denise Patry. Celadon on the Seas: Chinese Ceramics from the 9th to the 14th Century. New Haven: Yale University Art Gallery, 2024. Mentioned: p. 83; Reproduced: p. 74, 83, fig. 4.12
  • Asian Autumn: New Objects/New Insights: Cleveland's Recent Chinese Acquisitions. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (October 18-December 31, 1994).
    The Colors of Ink. Asia House Galleries (January 10-March 3, 1974); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (April 9-May 12, 1974).
    Golden Anniversary of Acquisitions. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (September 10-October 16, 1966).
  • {{cite web|title=Phoenix-Headed Ewer|url=false|author=|year=1000s|access-date=21 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1965.468