Covered Faceted Jar with Abstract Decor
19th century
Description
Resting on a circular footring, this jar's lowest portion resembles a bowl with rapidly expanding sides. The vessel's midsection boasts thirteen vertical facets, each with arched top and bottom. The circular, angled shoulder, which gives rise to the short, ring-like neck, echoes the form of the jar's lowest portion; the overall bilaterally symmetrical form gives the vessel visual and actual stability. The cover, which resembles an overturned dish, also echoes the jar's lowest portion, particularly since its short, circular handle resembles the jar's footring. The jar and cover are undecorated, save the faceting of its side walls and the incised wavy line that embellishes its shoulder and that is bordered by a pair of incised bowstring lines at the base of the shoulder and by a similar pair at the base of the neck. A thin coating of medium brown glaze covers the jar inside and out, except for the bottom of the footring and the inside of the neck; the same glaze covers the exterior of the cover.
Dimensions
jar with cover: H. 24.6 cm (9 11/16 in.) jar only: H. 21.9 cm (8 5/8 in.) across facets: W. 21 cm (8 1/4 in.)
Provenance
Jerry Lee Musslewhite, Dallas, Texas (mid-1960s - November 2009); to Estate of Jerry Lee Musslewhite (November 2009 - September 2010), by gift; to the Harvard Art Museums (September 2010).
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