Figure of Lion
960-1127 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This lion figure is an example of Xing ware, the earliest true porcelain made in China, and the world. The term porcelain is applied to ceramics made from a mixture of a clay called kaolin and a white stone called petuntse, which was fired at high temperatures. Porcelains differ from other ceramics in their impermeability, their whiteness and fine texture.
Xing wares were very popular both domestically and abroad, and were exported as far away as North Africa during the years between 800-1000AD. Chinese porcelains later achieved great popularity in Western Europe, although it was not until the early eighteenth century that European makers accurately duplicated true porcelain.
Xing wares were very popular both domestically and abroad, and were exported as far away as North Africa during the years between 800-1000AD. Chinese porcelains later achieved great popularity in Western Europe, although it was not until the early eighteenth century that European makers accurately duplicated true porcelain.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Porcelain, glazed |
| Brief description | Figure of lion, possibly from the lid of a censer, white porcelain, China, Northern Song dynasty (960-1127) |
| Physical description | Lion, possibly from the lid of a censer, white porcelain. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Gallery label | Porcelain lion
Northern China, Northern Song dynasty, 960-1127
Museum no. C.854-1936. Purchased with the assistance of The Art Fund, the Vallentin Bequest, Sir Percival David and the Universities China Committee(2009) |
| Credit line | Purchased with Art Fund support, the Vallentin Bequest, Sir Percival David and the Universities China Committee |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This lion figure is an example of Xing ware, the earliest true porcelain made in China, and the world. The term porcelain is applied to ceramics made from a mixture of a clay called kaolin and a white stone called petuntse, which was fired at high temperatures. Porcelains differ from other ceramics in their impermeability, their whiteness and fine texture. Xing wares were very popular both domestically and abroad, and were exported as far away as North Africa during the years between 800-1000AD. Chinese porcelains later achieved great popularity in Western Europe, although it was not until the early eighteenth century that European makers accurately duplicated true porcelain. |
| Bibliographic reference | Kerr, Rose. Song Dynasty Ceramics. London: V&A Publications, 2004. p. 40, no. 32. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.854-1936 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | February 24, 2005 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
