Funerary Jar
1999 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Since prehistoric times, people have used durable ceramic vessels as containers for cremated ashes. This funerary jar forms a part of that tradition. Many studio pots prompt us to think about how we hold or use ceramics, particularly for food and drink, but here Julian Stair offers an alternative perspective on the relationship between the vessel and the human body.
The unusual shape of the jar was made by throwing a cylinder, then cutting it into four sections. Stair flattened each section, and then joined them back together to make a square.
The unusual shape of the jar was made by throwing a cylinder, then cutting it into four sections. Stair flattened each section, and then joined them back together to make a square.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Porcelain, thrown and constructed |
| Brief description | Square funerary jar, made by Julian Stair, 1999 |
| Physical description | Square funerary jar with lid. Constructed from thrown sections, the walls being made from a thrown cylinder cut into four sections, flattened and reassembled. The surfaces are decorated with an incised spiral line. Porcelain with a semi-transparent glaze. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'JS' impressed seal (maker's identification; on base) |
| Credit line | Gift of Adrian Sassoon Esq. |
| Object history | Made for the V&A exhibition "The New White". The jar is one of a series of "caddies" produced by Stair, but it was at this exhibition that Stair first revealed their identity as funerary jars. |
| Summary | Since prehistoric times, people have used durable ceramic vessels as containers for cremated ashes. This funerary jar forms a part of that tradition. Many studio pots prompt us to think about how we hold or use ceramics, particularly for food and drink, but here Julian Stair offers an alternative perspective on the relationship between the vessel and the human body. The unusual shape of the jar was made by throwing a cylinder, then cutting it into four sections. Stair flattened each section, and then joined them back together to make a square. |
| Associated objects | |
| Bibliographic reference | Graves, Alun. The New White: Contemporary Studio Porcelain. London:V&A. 1999.
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.15:1,2-2000 |
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| Record created | April 4, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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