Conical Bowl with Decoration of Three Leaves
Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279), 12th/13th century
Medium
Jizhou ware; glazed stoneware with kiln transmutations
Dimensions
4.9 × 15.3 cm (1 15/16 × 6 in.); Diam.: 15.3 cm (6 in.)
Classification
bowl
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
21662
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This tea bowl is a fine example of the renowned Jizhou ware, which is famous for the subtle leaf-shaped imprint against the dark glaze on the object interior. This effect is believed to be achieved by placing real leaves covered in the glaze mixture on the vessel surface before firing. The leaves would then be burnt away in the kiln, leaving behind their traces. Another hallmark of the Jizhou ware is the "tortoiseshell glaze," created by applying light-brown splashes on the darker surface in imi...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...