Cer, China, Ming, CIZHOU ware

Cizhou type. This vase with two lugs on both sides of the mouth is called a 'tou hu', meaning 'pitch pot'. It was used in a game which started in China in the 6th century BC. The game involved throwing arrows into a pot, and different scores were awarded to the player depending on whether the arrows landed in the wider mouth opening or in the lugs on the side. Although we know from literary sources that this game was played in the 6th century BC no pitch pots from such early periods have survived, so it is not known whether the shape of pitch pots have changed over time.
A similar vase in the BM, ex Eumorfopoulos collection, in Jessica Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics, no.14:5.

Purchased from Mr. J. S. T. Audley (1 Berkeley Square, W.), accessioned in 1911. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.

This vase with two lugs on both sides of the mouth is called a 'tou hu' ('pitch pot'). It was used in a game which started in China in the 6th century BC and involved throwing arrows into a pot. Different scores were awarded to the player depending on whether the arrows landed in the wider mouth opening or in the lugs on the side. We know from literary sources that this game was played in the 6th century BC. However, no pitch pots from such early periods have survived, so we do not know whether their shape has changed over time.

C.41-1911