| OBJECT UNDER SPOTLIGHT | |
|
Each month we feature a Chinese Work of Art that exhibits singularly outstanding historical and aesthetic characteristics and qualities. This month we have selected a GLAZED FUNERARY JAR, YUEYAO Western Jin dynasty Height: 22 3/4 inches Sold |
|
|
The large ovoid jar is composed of two main parts. The bottom half is a rounded vessel, which rises full at the shoulders to a wide mouth. Mythical beasts and figures riding atop flying animals are applied to the surface and arranged in three rows on the upper half of the jar. The surmounting upper portion consists of multiple tiers of sculptural figures and animals within architectural elements pierced with passageways. A square courtyard with towers at the four corners tops the elaborate sculpture. Seated figures holding musical instruments, birds perched on roof eaves, farm animals standing under openings between pillars are all thickly interspersed around the vessel. Four miniature storage jars appear on the upper level at the corners of the central building. All are hand-modeled and display expressive and vibrant postures. The entire vessel is covered with a glaze that is greyish-olive green in tone thinning around the lower half of the vessel. Large yueyao glazed funerary urns of this impressive size are extremely rare. This funerary jar is an excellent example of the technical skills at the Yue kilns of northern Zhejiang province. The function of these urns was to house the souls of the deceased who did not have a proper burial. The dancing figures and musicians served to summon the wandering the soul, receiving and caring for it in its new abode. The palatial-like architecture and the lively figures and animals are signs of wealth and happiness one wished for the deceased in the next life. Compare to the similar funerary jar crowned with animals and buildings in nine tiers excavated from the tomb of Jinzhutun, Jintan, Jiangsu Province, dated to 276, now in the Nanjing Museum. It is illustrated in Ceramic Art of the World, Volume 10, plate 90. See other examples of similar urns illustrated in Ice and Green Clouds: Traditions of Chinese Celadon by Yutaka Mino and Katherine R. Tsiang, 1986, no. 24. The results of Thermoluminescence test P100q32, Oxford Authentification confirms the dating of this piece. If you would like more information on Inv.#2006, Glazed Funerary Jar, Yueyao, please click here. |
|
| View our Object Under Spotlight for July, 2001. | |
| View our Object Under Spotlight for May, 2001. | |
| View our Object Under Spotlight for March, 2001. | |
| View our Object Under Spotlight for February, 2001. | |
| Object Under Spotlight for January, 2001. Sold | |
| View our Object Under Spotlight for December, 2000. | |
36 East 57th Street, Third Floor New York, New York 10022. (212) 319-1335