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

Reference URL

Actions

Send e-mail

Contact us about this object

Send e-mail

Send to a friend

Ewer with green glaze

  • loan
  • Literature notes

    Unlike most other polychrome glazed Tang (AD 618–907) ceramics, which are made of earthenware and were used only for burial purposes, this piece is made of stoneware. Since it was fired at a higher temperature, it is dense and hard and therefore fit to be used. It represents a somewhat later development in the Tang dynasty. Wares of this type were much exported to the Middle East.

    The ewer has an ovoid body, a splayed solid foot with flat base, and a wide flaring neck. A short tapering spout is attached opposite a double-stranded loop handle. The buff-coloured stoneware is covered with a white slip and a bright green glaze, unevenly applied in several layers, leaving patches in lighter and others in darker tone, and the lowest part unglazed, with the slip reaching down somewhat further than the glaze.
  • Details

    Associated place
    AsiaChina Henan province (place of creation)
    Date
    8th - 9th century AD (AD 701 - 900)
    Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 907)
    Material and technique
    stoneware, thrown, covered in white slip under green glaze; unglazed base; glazed rim
    Dimensions
    20 x 13.5 x 11.4 cm (height x width x depth)
    at base 8.4 cm (diameter)
    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.
    LI1301.383
  • 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. C382

Glossary (3)

glaze, slip, stoneware

  • glaze

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

  • slip

    A semi-fluid clay applied to a ceramic before glazing either to coat the surface or for decorative effect.

  • 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

    • 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

    Unlike most other polychrome glazed Tang (AD 618–907) ceramics, which are made of earthenware and were used only for burial purposes, this piece is made of stoneware. Since it was fired at a higher temperature, it is dense and hard and therefore fit to be used. It represents a somewhat later development in the Tang dynasty. Wares of this type were much exported to the Middle East.

    The ewer has an ovoid body, a splayed solid foot with flat base, and a wide flaring neck. A short tapering spout is attached opposite a double-stranded loop handle. The buff-coloured stoneware is covered with a white slip and a bright green glaze, unevenly applied in several layers, leaving patches in lighter and others in darker tone, and the lowest part unglazed, with the slip reaching down somewhat further than the 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.

© 2013 University of Oxford - Ashmolean Museum