Artwork
Jar
Artist
Unknown
DepartmentAsian Art
CultureChinese
Date14th century
Dimensionsh. 15 3/8 in. (39.1 cm)
w. 8 1/8 in. (20.6 cm)
d. 9 7/8 in. (25.1 cm)
w. 8 1/8 in. (20.6 cm)
d. 9 7/8 in. (25.1 cm)
Credit LineSan Antonio Museum of Art, gift of Lenora and Walter F. Brown
Object number2008.21.43
GeographyPlace madeJingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
General regionAsia
DescriptionAn old Chinese wine jar, Guan, the massive sides rise to a broad shoulder set with two lion mask handles which narrow to a short collared neck with thickened, galleried rim; porcelain painted in under glaze blue, the surface divided into a series of horizontal bands each defined by double lines; at the foot a band of lappets; above, a boldly drawn band of flowering peony bounded by a band of fragrant grass or classic scroll above and below by a band of cash; the shoulder is occupied by phoenix and flowering peony and just below the collar a band of flowering lotus; above the collar a further band of classic scroll which is repeated on the galleried rim.
Yuan dynasty, 14th century A.D.Label TextThe imposing size and densely packed decoration of this jar demonstrates the bold style of blue-and-white porcelain produced during the Yuan dynasty. The two large central registers depict tree peonies with two pairs of phoenix, a male and female on each side. An alternate name for peony is fuguihua, a homonym for wealth and rank. Note the flared out ridge-band half way up the neck and the two decorative lugs depicting lion heads. Peonies and lions are both also symbols of wealth. The term "guan" used to describe the vessel in the title simply means "jar." However, the word has come to refer to jars of this shape, which like many Chinese ceramics, derive their forms from ancient Chinese bronze prototypes.On view
Collections
The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
