Jar (pou)

Large jar (pou) with wide belly and small mouth.
Clay: stoneware, dark gray, hard, fired uniformly reddish brown on surface; of the type called proto-porcelain.
Glaze: thin, transparent olive green, on upper surfaces only.
Decoration: three horizontal bands in relief with incised designs in clay in two top sections; two animal mask handles on shoulder.

Historical period(s)
Eastern Han dynasty, 1st-2nd century
Medium
Stoneware with applied and accidental glazes
Dimensions
H x W: 32.9 x 38.2 cm (12 15/16 x 15 1/16 in)
Geography
China, Zhejiang Province
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1952.10
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Jar (pou)

Keywords
China, Eastern Han dynasty (25 - 220), stoneware
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

Large jar (pou) with wide belly and small mouth.
Clay: stoneware, dark gray, hard, fired uniformly reddish brown on surface; of the type called proto-porcelain.
Glaze: thin, transparent olive green, on upper surfaces only.
Decoration: three horizontal bands in relief with incised designs in clay in two top sections; two animal mask handles on shoulder.

Published References
  • Oriental Ceramics: The World's Great Collections. 12 vols., Tokyo. vol. 10, pl. 3.
  • John A. Burrison. Global Clay: Themes in World Ceramic Traditions. Bloomington, Indiana. p. 22, fig. 1.10.
  • Katherine R. Tsiang. Glazed Stoneware of the Han Tynasty. vol. 40, nos.2-3 Washington and Zurich. pp. 143-176, fig. 9.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
SI Usage Statement

Usage Conditions Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery welcome information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

citation | Save this image How to download an image | Request Permission | Terms of Use