Description
An ivory-colored glaze covers this shallow bowl with a solid flat foot ring, revealing an almost pure white body. Bowls of this type and shape were used for drinking tea and were traded as far as Samarra (modern Iraq). Red tea consumed during the Tang dynasty (618–906) was believed to look best in pale green or white-glazed bowls. When white whisked powdered tea was introduced a century later during the Song dynasty (960–1279), tastes and aesthetics for tea ceramics changed and dark-glazed teabowls were preferred.
Provenance
(K.Y. Fine Art, Hong Kong, sold to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Keithley) (?–2010); Nancy F. and Joseph P. Keithley, Cleveland, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art (2010–2020); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (2020–)
Accession Number
2020.186
Medium
White stoneware with ivory-white glaze
Dimensions
Overall: 4.7 x 18.5 cm (1 7/8 x 7 5/16 in.)
Classification
Ceramic
Credit Line
Nancy F. and Joseph P. Keithley Collection Gift