The Barlow Collection
A select catalogue of the Barlow collection of Chinese Ceramics, Bronzes and Jades by the University of Sussex (published Sussex, 2006).
Publications online: 456 objects
Greenware cosmetic box and lid with floral decoration
- loan
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Literature notes
Related fragmentary boxes and lids from the Yaozhou kiln site are published in Songdai Yaozhou yaozhi/The Yaozhou Kiln Site of the Song Period, Beijing, 1998, col.pl.XI, fig.2, and pls XCIV – XCVII.
Both box and cover have straight sides, the cover has a wide domed top, and the box tapers towards a broad shallow foot and recessed pointed base. The cover is carved on top with a floral spray with a bloom and two leaves with combed detail, the rest is plain. Inside the box are three small dishes, joined by three stems which radiate from the centre. The green glaze has fired a bluish tone on the outside, where it is now slightly degraded, and an olive-green inside, the rims of both pieces and the footring are left free of glaze, showing the brown biscuit. The base is covered with a thin layer of brown-burnt glaze. -
Details
- Associated place
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Asia › China › Shaanxi province › Yaozhou kilns (place of creation)
- Date
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11th - 12th century (1001 - 1200)
Northern Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1127)
- Material and technique
- stoneware box and lid, thrown, with carved, combed decoration under a green glaze; stems hand-modelled and luted to box with slip; glazed base; unglazed rim
- Dimensions
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with lid 5 cm (height)
without lid 3 cm (height)
12.7 cm (diameter)
at foot 6.1 cm (diameter)
- Material index
- Technique index
- Object type index
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container › box › seal-red-box,container › box › toilet-box › cosmetic-box,
- No. of items
- 2
- Credit line
- Lent by the Sir Alan Barlow Collection Trust.
- Accession no.
- LI1301.387
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Further reading
University of Sussex, and Arts and Humanities Research Council, The Barlow Collection, supervised by Regina Krahl, Maurice Howard, and Aiden Leeves (Sussex: University of Sussex, 2006), no. C386
Glossary (4)
glaze, luted, slip, stoneware
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glaze
Vitreous coating applied to the surface of a ceramic to make it impermeable or for decorative effect.
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luted
The fusion of parts of ceramics using dilute clay slip.
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slip
A semi-fluid clay applied to a ceramic before glazing either to coat the surface or for decorative effect.
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stoneware
Ceramic material made of clay which is fired to a temperature of c.1200-1300⁰c and is often buff or grey in colour.
Location
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- currently in research collection
Objects are sometimes moved to a different location. Our object location data is usually updated on a monthly basis. Contact the Jameel Study Centre if you are planning to visit the museum to see a particular object on display, or would like to arrange an appointment to see an object in our reserve collections.
Publications online
-
The Barlow Collection
Related fragmentary boxes and lids from the Yaozhou kiln site are published in Songdai Yaozhou yaozhi/The Yaozhou Kiln Site of the Song Period, Beijing, 1998, col.pl.XI, fig.2, and pls XCIV – XCVII.
Both box and cover have straight sides, the cover has a wide domed top, and the box tapers towards a broad shallow foot and recessed pointed base. The cover is carved on top with a floral spray with a bloom and two leaves with combed detail, the rest is plain. Inside the box are three small dishes, joined by three stems which radiate from the centre. The green glaze has fired a bluish tone on the outside, where it is now slightly degraded, and an olive-green inside, the rims of both pieces and the footring are left free of glaze, showing the brown biscuit. The base is covered with a thin layer of brown-burnt glaze.
Notice
Object information may not accurately reflect the actual contents of the original publication, since our online objects contain current information held in our collections database. Click on 'buy this publication' to purchase printed versions of our online publications, where available, or contact the Jameel Study Centre to arrange access to books on our collections that are now out of print.
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