Ovoid Jar
Tang dynasty (618–907), 8th/9th century
Medium
Lushan ware; stoneware with iron-brown and splashed milky-blue ash glazes
Dimensions
H. 46.3 cm (18 1/8 in.) diam. 35.1 cm (13 13/16 in.)
Classification
stoneware
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
103961
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This elegant jar exemplifies the stoneware craftsmanship of the Lushan kiln, a center of stoneware production during the Tang Dynasty. Beneath the rolled lip, four handles that evoke the shape of stylized birds curve downward, directing the viewer’s gaze to the smooth, satiny surface. Covered with a captivating mottled brown "tea-dust" glaze and embellished with bold, lively splashes of milky lavender, the jar displays a timeless beauty. The brown glaze stops neatly with a clean sweep just above...
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...