Figure thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 137, The Curtain Foundation Gallery

Figure

11th century-12th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Small ceramic figures, similar to the animals pictured, were a popular product of the kiln site Guantai in China between the years 950-1150. Figurines such as this might have been used for play, but have also been found in tombs.

Guantai was an important kiln in the manufacture of Cizhou ware, a type of ceramic made in the northern part of China during the Jin dynasty (1115-1234). Cizhou was a popular ware, meaning that it was made not for the imperial household or elite connoisseurs, but ordinary people. This meant that Cizhou kilns produced a great variety of shapes, forms and decorations, such as these toy figures.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Stoneware, glazed
Brief description
Figure of animal, glazed stoneware, Cizhou ware, China, Jin dynasty, 11th-12th century
Physical description
Cizhou ware miniature figure
Style
Credit line
Given by J.S.T. Audley
Object history
Given by Mr. J. S. T. Audley, accessioned in 1910. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.
Subjects depicted
Summary
Small ceramic figures, similar to the animals pictured, were a popular product of the kiln site Guantai in China between the years 950-1150. Figurines such as this might have been used for play, but have also been found in tombs.

Guantai was an important kiln in the manufacture of Cizhou ware, a type of ceramic made in the northern part of China during the Jin dynasty (1115-1234). Cizhou was a popular ware, meaning that it was made not for the imperial household or elite connoisseurs, but ordinary people. This meant that Cizhou kilns produced a great variety of shapes, forms and decorations, such as these toy figures.
Bibliographic reference
Kerr, Rose. Song Dynasty Ceramics. London:V&A Publications, 2004. p. 75, no. 75.
Collection
Accession number
C.206-1910

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Record createdJune 20, 2005
Record URL
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