Chinese / Bowl / Five Dynasties period (907-960), 10th century

Chinese
Bowl
Five Dynasties period (907-960), 10th century
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Creator Nationality: Asian; Far East Asian; Chinese
Creator Name-CRT: Chinese
Title: Bowl
Title Type: Object name
View: Full View
Creation Start Date: 907
Creation End Date: 960
Creation Date: Five Dynasties period (907-960), 10th century
Object Type: Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects
Classification Term: Ceramics
Materials and Techniques: Stoneware with carved and incised design under celadon glaze (Yue ware)
Dimensions: H. 4 3/8 in. (11.1 cm), Diam. 10 5/8 in. (27 cm)
AMICA Contributor: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Owner Location: New York, New York, USA
ID Number: 18.56.36
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1918
Rights: http://www.metmuseum.org/
Context:

The quality of potting and the production of fine ceramic wares seem to have been unaffected by the political turbulence that gripped China as the Tang dynasty (618-907) lost its preeminence at the beginning of the tenth century. Indeed, the quality of the output of the Yue kilns in the northern part of Zhejiang province seems to have peaked during the upheavals of the Five Dynasties period, which occurred throughout most of the first sixty years of the century. This tenth-century bowl, with carved and incised dragons under a lustrous green glaze, is one of the great ceramic treasures in the Museum's collection. The high-fired clay has vitrified so that it is resonant when struck, although it is not true porcelain in the Western sense, because it is neither white nor translucent. Some Yue ware was known at the time as 'bise yao,' which literally means 'prohibited' or 'private color ware.' According to literary sources, it was reserved for the exclusive use of the princes of the Wu-Yue. The high quality of the workmanship indicates that this piece was produced for royal use at the Yue kilns. The craftsman carved three lively dragons into the wet clay of the bowl, and, as a further indication of its provenance, one of the creatures carries his tail tucked beneath his hind leg, a design that was a trademark of the Yue kilns.

AMICA ID: MMA_.18.56.36
AMICA Library Year: 2000
Media Metadata Rights: Copyright The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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