Jar
1350-1400 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This jar belongs to the so-called Longquan wares, characterised by greenish or celadon glazes, and named after an important production area in South China active from the Song (960-1279) to the early Qing dynasty (1644-1911). The Longquan vessels were often decorated with designs incised, carved, moulded or applied in relief on the surface, and then covered with the glaze.
This example, with a short, small neck, was used to serve wine. A plug would have sealed the mouth. It is of particular interest for the four Chinese ideograms carved in relief under the glaze: 'mei jiu qing xiang' (fine wine, pure fragrance), which directly refer to the function of the jar. This inscription also appears on other pieces produced in the Longquan kilns, and possibly represents a trade mark.
This example, with a short, small neck, was used to serve wine. A plug would have sealed the mouth. It is of particular interest for the four Chinese ideograms carved in relief under the glaze: 'mei jiu qing xiang' (fine wine, pure fragrance), which directly refer to the function of the jar. This inscription also appears on other pieces produced in the Longquan kilns, and possibly represents a trade mark.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Porcelain |
| Brief description | Longquan ware |
| Physical description | Jar of 'meiping' form, with high shoulders, small short neck and thick foot. The vase is decorated with four panels with ideograms in carved relief and floral motifs on the shoulders, a large band of floral scrolls on the central part, and tall petals rising from the foot on the bottom section. A light-green celadon glaze covers the body. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | (Trade mark; Chinese; mei jiu ching xiang; on the jar's shoulders)
|
| Gallery label | Vase (meiping) with inscription 'Fine wine with delicate aroma'
Yuan-Ming dynasty
1350-1400
Longquan kilns, south China
Stoneware with olive green (celadon) glaze
Museum no. FE.34-1972
E.V. Lee Gift(2007) |
| Credit line | E. V. Lee Gift |
| Production | Yuan-Ming dynasties |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This jar belongs to the so-called Longquan wares, characterised by greenish or celadon glazes, and named after an important production area in South China active from the Song (960-1279) to the early Qing dynasty (1644-1911). The Longquan vessels were often decorated with designs incised, carved, moulded or applied in relief on the surface, and then covered with the glaze. This example, with a short, small neck, was used to serve wine. A plug would have sealed the mouth. It is of particular interest for the four Chinese ideograms carved in relief under the glaze: 'mei jiu qing xiang' (fine wine, pure fragrance), which directly refer to the function of the jar. This inscription also appears on other pieces produced in the Longquan kilns, and possibly represents a trade mark. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | FE.34-1972 |
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 | December 15, 1999 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
