Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

Ashmolean − Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

The Barlow Collection

A select catalogue of the Barlow collection of Chinese Ceramics, Bronzes and Jades by the University of Sussex (published Sussex, 2006).

The Barlow Collection by the University of Sussex

Publications online: 456 objects

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Figure of a lady holding a baby in swaddling-clothes

  • loan
  • Literature notes

    These figures roughly follow Tang (AD 618–907) style, although the baby in a basket does not seem to have a Tang model. In their material, the figures deviate from Tang originals, the dark pottery, strong pigments and the dark green glaze all being unknown from that period. Also, the size is too large for this type of figure. One of the figures was once holding a genuine Tang figure of a goose (see Barlow Collection, [LI1301.414]).

    The tall figures are shown standing, with even features, the hair tied up, wearing long robes with rounded collar, high waist, tied with a knotted ribbon, tight sleeves and a scarf draped around the shoulder. The bent-up tips of shoes are protruding from beneath the hem. One figure is holding both hands in front; one has both hands joined, hidden in the long sleeves; one is carrying a bale of cloth, her long sleeves covering her hands and hanging down underneath it; and one is holding a basket with a baby wrapped in swaddling-clothes. The grey pottery is covered with a white dressing and rose-pink pigment, the skirts are glazed in dark green.
  • Details

    Associated place
    Asia China (place of creation)
    Date
    1911 - 1947
    Material and technique
    earthenware, with traces of pigment and a green glaze
    Dimensions
    36.8 x 10.3 x 9.4 cm (height x width x depth)
    Material index
    Technique index
    coveredcoated glazed,
    Object type index
    No. of items
    1
    Credit line
    Lent by the Sir Alan Barlow Collection Trust.
    Accession no.
    LI1301.413.2
  • 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. S18b

Glossary (2)

earthenware, glaze

  • earthenware

    Ceramic material made of clay which is fired to a temperature of c.1000-1200⁰c. The resulting ceramic is non-vitreous and varies in colour from dark red to yellow.

  • glaze

    Vitreous coating applied to the surface of a ceramic to make it impermeable or for decorative effect.

Location

    • 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 by the University of Sussex

    The Barlow Collection

    These figures roughly follow Tang (AD 618–907) style, although the baby in a basket does not seem to have a Tang model. In their material, the figures deviate from Tang originals, the dark pottery, strong pigments and the dark green glaze all being unknown from that period. Also, the size is too large for this type of figure. One of the figures was once holding a genuine Tang figure of a goose (see Barlow Collection, [LI1301.414]).

    The tall figures are shown standing, with even features, the hair tied up, wearing long robes with rounded collar, high waist, tied with a knotted ribbon, tight sleeves and a scarf draped around the shoulder. The bent-up tips of shoes are protruding from beneath the hem. One figure is holding both hands in front; one has both hands joined, hidden in the long sleeves; one is carrying a bale of cloth, her long sleeves covering her hands and hanging down underneath it; and one is holding a basket with a baby wrapped in swaddling-clothes. The grey pottery is covered with a white dressing and rose-pink pigment, the skirts are glazed in dark green.
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