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A purple ceramic flower pot with vertical lines widely spaced out on the side. The flat, thin top rim protrudes out. The rim curves to mimic large petals. The inside is blue.

A purple ceramic flower pot stands on a grey background and is shown from its side. The purple glaze mixes with a light blue glaze throughout the piece but more so near the top lip and the inside is also blue. On the sides are vertical lines widely spaced out. Tan lines are along the edges and indents from thinned glaze. The flat, thin top rim protrudes out. The rim curves to mimic large petals. The piece has a small foot.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1942.185.15
Title
Lobed Flowerpot with Foliate Rim
Classification
Vessels
Work Type
vessel
Date
probably 15th century
Places
Creation Place: East Asia, China, Henan province
Period
Ming dynasty, 1368-1644
Culture
Chinese
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/205342

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Numbered Jun ware: light gray stoneware with variegated purple and blue glaze; with Chinese numeral 1 (yi) inscribed on base before firing; "Yangxin dian Changchun shuwu yong" (Hall of Mental Cultivation, used in the Studio of Everlasting Spring) inscription incised on base at a later date
Technique
Jun
Dimensions
max.: H. 20.3 × W. 29.3 × D. 27.8 cm (8 × 11 9/16 × 10 15/16 in.)
base: W. 14.5 × D. 13.8 cm (5 11/16 × 5 7/16 in.)
weight: 3461.3 g
Inscriptions and Marks
  • inscription: inscribed (probably stamped) on base before firing: 一 yi (one)
  • inscription: incised on glazed base at a later date: 養心殿 長春書屋用 Yangxin dian Changchun shuwu yong (Hall of Mental Cultivation, used in the Studio of Everlasting Spring)
  • label: affixed to base: palace inventory label with brush-written Chinese characters
  • collector's mark: affixed to interior, on vessel floor: sticker with handwritten number 2

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Ernest B. and Helen Pratt Dane
Accession Year
1942
Object Number
1942.185.15
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
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Publication History

  • George J. Lee, "Numbered Chün Ware", Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society, Oriental Ceramics Society (London, 1945-1946), Vol. 21, pp. 53-63, n.p., plate 15
  • Henry Trubner, Chinese Ceramics, from the prehistoric period through Ch'ien Lung: a loan exhibition from collections in America and Japan, exh. cat., Los Angeles County Museum (Los Angeles, CA, 1952), p. 71, no. 122
  • Rose Kerr, Dazzling Official Jun Wares: From Museums and Collections Around the World, ACC Art Books (Hong Kong, 2021), pp. 136-137, no. 87

Exhibition History

Subjects and Contexts

  • Jun Ware

Related Works

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu