Bowl
1175-1300 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The history of Chinese ceramics is a fascinating story of innovation and discovery. This bowl is a good example of one of the crucial innovations of the Jin dynasty (1115-1234).
Prior to the 13th Century, Chinese potters created their wares by forming the body of the piece, glazing and then firing it in a kiln. As colourful glazes became more popular, potters were limited by the fact that many glazes ran together during firing, blurring their design.
Around 1200, at various kilns, potters began to initially cover the body with a transparent glaze and fire it to the very high temperatures required for the clay to harden fully. Then, the colourful enamels were painted onto the surface and the whole piece was re-fired to the lower firing temperature of the enamels. The result of this experiment was to evolve into the elaborate and colourful 'overglaze enamel' designs of later centuries.
Prior to the 13th Century, Chinese potters created their wares by forming the body of the piece, glazing and then firing it in a kiln. As colourful glazes became more popular, potters were limited by the fact that many glazes ran together during firing, blurring their design.
Around 1200, at various kilns, potters began to initially cover the body with a transparent glaze and fire it to the very high temperatures required for the clay to harden fully. Then, the colourful enamels were painted onto the surface and the whole piece was re-fired to the lower firing temperature of the enamels. The result of this experiment was to evolve into the elaborate and colourful 'overglaze enamel' designs of later centuries.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | stoneware, painted and glazed |
| Brief description | Bowl, stoneware painted in coloured enamels, Cizhou ware, China, Jin dynasty, 1175-1300 |
| Physical description | Cizhou ware bowl painted with coloured enamels |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Gallery label | Bowl with peony design
Jin dynasty
1175-1300
Cizhou kilns, north China
The Cizhou potters were the first to experiment with painting with coloured enamels. The bowl had to be fired twice, first to bake the body, then again at a lower temperature after the painting was done to fix the enamels.
Stoneware painted in coloured enamels
Museum no. C.65-1931(2007) |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The history of Chinese ceramics is a fascinating story of innovation and discovery. This bowl is a good example of one of the crucial innovations of the Jin dynasty (1115-1234). Prior to the 13th Century, Chinese potters created their wares by forming the body of the piece, glazing and then firing it in a kiln. As colourful glazes became more popular, potters were limited by the fact that many glazes ran together during firing, blurring their design. Around 1200, at various kilns, potters began to initially cover the body with a transparent glaze and fire it to the very high temperatures required for the clay to harden fully. Then, the colourful enamels were painted onto the surface and the whole piece was re-fired to the lower firing temperature of the enamels. The result of this experiment was to evolve into the elaborate and colourful 'overglaze enamel' designs of later centuries. |
| Bibliographic reference | Kerr, Rose. Song Dynasty Ceramics. London:V&A Publications, 2004. p. 76, no. 76. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.65-1931 |
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| Record created | June 20, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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