Jar with four lugs
Unknown Artist
16th century
Medium
Porcelain with incised decoration under white glaze (Jingdezhen ware)
Dimensions
H. 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm); W. 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture & Period
China · Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1917
Accession Number
17.169
Art Historical Context
This elegant *Jar with Four Lugs* hails from China's Ming dynasty (13681644), specifically the 16th century and exemplifies the pinnacle of imperial porcelain production at Jingdezhen, the renowned center for fine ceramics. Standing 10 inches tall and 9½ inches wide, its rounded body flares to a short neck adorned with four sturdy lugs—practical handles or decorative knobs—making it both functional and visually striking. The pristine white glaze over incised decoration creates a subtle, tactile elegance, where motifs are delicately carved into the soft clay before firing, allowing the glaze to...