The vessel is characterized by its approximately spherical body, narrow at its somewhat slanted square-cut foot surrounding the recessed base, the vessel ballooning at its greatest width below the strongly sloping shoulders, the transition marked by a raised rib circling the vessel, the tall cylindrical neck widening slightly toward he mouth, the strap handle arching high from between the base of the neck and the shoulder below, and on the opposite side a multi-faceted tubular spout. The relatively refined creamy-white stoneware body is covered with a white slip below a clear warm-toned glaze. Only the foot and base are left unglazed, and spotty discoloration is apparent where the unglazed body was exposed during firing.
An almost identical ewer in the Yuegutang collection in Berlin was published by Regina Krahl, who referred to a similar example discovered in an imperial Liao tomb datable to AD 959 near Chifeng in Inner Mongolia and yet another of Ding origin from an early Liao tomb also in Inner Mongolia.1 The forms of these vessels with their distinctive handles, inspired by metalware, are known from vessels produced at a number of kilns specializing in a range of wares. The monochrome slip-coated white examples from Cizhou kilns in Hebei and Henan were created in various decorative versions—including molded, carved and sgraffiato wares. The present, essentially undecorated, version is among the most understated, modest, and subtle of Cizhou products. The attractiveness and effect rely on purity of form and a satiny white surface. It is not difficult to recall when seeing such vessels that at their origin was a desire to replicate or at least mimic the highly esteemed white wares of the Ding kiln, also in Hebei province. A closer look, however, reveals the more informal, less stringent attention to finish, qualities or features that distinguished Cizhou wares from anything that would approach serious imperial interest or favor but that at the same time would make them perfectly acceptable to and appreciated by a wide Chinese populace and simpatico, particularly with Japanese taste.
1. Regina Krahl, Yuegutang: A Collection of Chinese Ceramics in Berlin, Berlin. 2000, 153, p. 197.
Details:
