Jar

Storage jar in guan ^c^ shape. Vessel formed by process of coiling and smoothing, as indicated by uneven contour. Short everted neck with nearly horizontal rim added and shaped with use of a turntable or slow wheel. Irregularly trimmed at base. Flat bottom.
Clay: stoneware, blackish-gray on surface.
Decoration: the surface was consolidated by being beaten or impressed with a tool carved in cross-hatch pattern, before the rim was added or the base trimmed.

Historical period(s)
Warring States period, Zhou dynasty, 480-221 BCE
Medium
Unglazed stoneware
Dimensions
H x W x D: 29.1 x 29.4 x 29.4 cm (11 7/16 x 11 9/16 x 11 9/16 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1984.30
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Jar

Keywords
China, stoneware, Warring States period (475 - 221 BCE), Zhou dynasty (ca. 1050 - 221 BCE)
Provenance

To 1982
Helen D. Ling (died 1982), Shanghai and Singapore, to 1982 [1]

From 1982 to 1984
Dr. Tien Gi Ling, Singapore, bequeathed by Helen D. Ling in 1982 [2]

From 1984
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Dr. Tien Gi Ling in 1984

Notes:

[1] Helen Dalling Ling operated The Green Dragon antiques shop in Shanghai from 1938 to 1950, and a shop under her own name in Singapore from 1951 to 1982 (see Curatorial Note 5 in object record).

[2] According to Curatorial Note 5 in object record.

[3] Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List after 1920 file, Collections Management Office.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Mr. Tien Gi Ling
Helen D. Ling died 1982

Description

Storage jar in guan ^c^ shape. Vessel formed by process of coiling and smoothing, as indicated by uneven contour. Short everted neck with nearly horizontal rim added and shaped with use of a turntable or slow wheel. Irregularly trimmed at base. Flat bottom.
Clay: stoneware, blackish-gray on surface.
Decoration: the surface was consolidated by being beaten or impressed with a tool carved in cross-hatch pattern, before the rim was added or the base trimmed.

Published References
  • Sarah Booth. The Freer's Rare Catch: Gallery Acquires 30 Flawless Ancient Chinese Ceramics. Washington, May 23, 1984. p. B2.
  • H. W. Siegel, Helen D. Ling. Early Chinese Potteries and Porcelains of the Shang, Chou, Chin, Han Dynasties: Collection of the Late J.E. Melchior. Shanghai. cat. 2.6.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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