Chicken-Headed Ewer
Unknown Artist
220–589 CE
Medium
green-glazed stoneware with incised, carved and applied decoration, Yue ware
Dimensions
h. 23.5 cm
Classification
Ceramic
Department
Chinese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John D. MacDonald
Accession Number
1973.84
About this artwork
The development of high-fired celadon in the south was a significant achievement in Chinese ceramics history. The ewer's shape was indigenous and appeared to have been transformed from the hu (jar) attached with a small chicken head. Whereas the early chicken-headed ewers have a wide, stout body, this example represents a further development toward more elongated proportions, adding the decoration of carved lotus petals.