Bowl
Unknown Artist
Medium
Porcelain with ox-blood glaze
Dimensions
H. 3 in. (7.6 cm); Diam. 7 in. (17.8 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Kangxi period (1662–1722)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913
Accession Number
14.40.63
Art Historical Context
This exquisite porcelain bowl, hailing from China's Qing dynasty during the Kangxi period (1662–1722), exemplifies the pinnacle of imperial ceramic artistry. Standing just 3 inches tall with a 7-inch diameter, its compact form belies its luxurious presence. The standout feature is the ox-blood glaze—a deep, vibrant red monochrome finish known as *sang de boeuf*—which was notoriously difficult to achieve, requiring precise control of kiln temperatures to produce its characteristic glossy depth and subtle color variations. Crafted likely at the famed Jingdezhen kilns, the epicenter of porcelain...