Ewer with Peony Scroll
Northern Song dynasty (960–1127), 11th century
Medium
Cizhou ware; stoneware, slip-coated with underglaze incised and impressed decoration
Dimensions
25.1 × 16.5 cm (9 7/8 × 6 1/2 in.); Diam.: 16.5 cm (6 1/2 in.)
Classification
ewer (vessel)
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
73239
Art Historical Context
This elegant ewer from the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127), in the 11th, exemplifies the innovative ceramics of Cizhou ware, produced at kilns in northern China.ers like this were practical vessels for pouring liquids such as wine or water, yet their refined design elevated them to art objects cherished by scholars and elites. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, thisware piece measures about 10 inches tall with a 6.5-inch diameter, its graceful spout and handle suggesting both functionality and aesthetic harmony. The ewer's surface is coated in white slip—a liqu...
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...