VesselsChinese6th-7th century

Jar with lotus petal decor (lianhua zun)

late 6th-early 7th century

Description

Elaborately decorated jar with trumpet-shaped mouth, cylindrical neck, ovoid body, and six loop handles at the juncture of the neck and shoulders; thick lotus-petal and five-leaf-palmette appliques encircle the shoulders, carved lotus petals with projecting tips and incised lotus petals decorate the lower portion of the body down to the foot; molded appliques of demon figures and flying apsarases encircle the neck; light gray stoneware with bluish-green celadon glaze over molded and applique elements. Place of manufacture uncertain, probably northern China. Jars of this shape with ornate lotus-petal decoration are known as lianhua zun, or “lotus flower wine jars.” Archaeologically excavated lianhua zun with celadon glazes have emerged from aristocratic tombs in both northern and southern China, but they are generally believed to be products of northern China.

Classification

Vessels

Technique

Celadon

Medium

Stoneware with celadon glaze

Culture

Chinese

Period

Northern Qi (550-577) to Sui (581-618) dynasty

Century

6th-7th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Asian Art

Dimensions

H. 33.2 x Diam. 22 cm (13 1/16 x 8 11/16 in.)

Provenance

[Christie's, New York, 23 September 1999, lot 272] sold; to Walter C. Sedgwick Foundation, Woodside, CA (1999-2006), partial gift; to Harvard University Art Museums, 2006.