Pilgrim Flask (Bian Hu)
Unknown
Sui (581–618) or early Tang dynasty (618–907), c. late 6th/7th century
Medium
Stoneware with mold-impressed decoration under yellowish-brown lead glaze
Dimensions
24.1 × 20.4 × 12.2 cm (9 1/2 × 8 × 4 13/16 in.)
Classification
earthenware
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
12183
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...