Bulb bowl, Numbered Jun ware
13th–14th century
Medium
Stoneware with blue glaze over relief decoration.
Dimensions
Diameter: 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm.)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture
Chinese
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.1651
Art Historical Context
This exquisite bulb bowl exemplifies the artistry of Jun ware, a celebrated Chinese ceramic tradition from the 13th–14th century during the Yuan dynasty. Crafted from stoneware and coated in a vibrant blue glaze over intricate relief decoration, the bowl measures just 6 7/8 inches (17.5 cm) in diameter, its bulbous form perfect for holding fruits or small offerings. The "numbered" designation refers to subtle incised marks, likely indicating production standards in the kilns of Henan province, where Jun ware flourished. Jun ware's hallmark is its mesmerizing glaze, achieved through high-tempe...
About the Artist
Chinese
The artist known simply as "Chinese" in museum records represents the vast tradition of anonymous or unattributed masters in Chinese art history, with 99 works preserved in our collection. These pieces exemplify the enduring legacy of guó huà, or traditional Chinese painting, one of the world's oldest continuous artistic practices. Early life is not well documented, as is common for many practitio...