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
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Vessel with handles in the form of dragons
- loan
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Literature notes
The amphora is elegantly potted, the tall ovoid body tapering and flaring again towards the flat base, the waisted neck separated from the shoulder by a raised rib, intersected by two flanges, and surmounted by an everted cup-shaped mouth with flared rim. Two tall double-stranded handles are attached on either side, with freely modelled dragon’s heads biting the rim and applied bosses near the top and base. The dragons have attached features and horns, their snouts reaching deep into the vessel. The beige-coloured stoneware is covered with a transparent glaze with a fine overall crackle, which ends halfway down the sides in an uneven line, leaving the lowest part in the biscuit. The crackle is stained from burial. -
Details
- Associated place
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Asia › China › Henan province (place of creation)
- Date
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7th century AD (AD 601 - 700)
Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 907)
- Material and technique
- earthenware, thrown, with a transparent glaze; handles, hand-modelled and luted to the vessel with slip, and with incised decoration; unglazed base; glazed rim
- Dimensions
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41.5 cm (height)
21.1 cm (diameter)
at base 10.6 cm (diameter)
- Material index
- Technique index
- Object type index
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container › vessel › pot › burial-pot,
- No. of items
- 1
- Credit line
- Lent by the Sir Alan Barlow Collection Trust.
- Accession no.
- LI1301.270
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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. C265
Glossary (4)
earthenware, glaze, luted, slip
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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.
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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.
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
The amphora is elegantly potted, the tall ovoid body tapering and flaring again towards the flat base, the waisted neck separated from the shoulder by a raised rib, intersected by two flanges, and surmounted by an everted cup-shaped mouth with flared rim. Two tall double-stranded handles are attached on either side, with freely modelled dragon’s heads biting the rim and applied bosses near the top and base. The dragons have attached features and horns, their snouts reaching deep into the vessel. The beige-coloured stoneware is covered with a transparent glaze with a fine overall crackle, which ends halfway down the sides in an uneven line, leaving the lowest part in the biscuit. The crackle is stained from burial.
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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