tea bowl

tea bowl , 1100s–1200s, Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279)

Where object was made: China

Material/technique: Jian ware; silver; glaze; stoneware

Dimensions:
Object Height/Diameter (Height x Diameter): 7.3 x 11.8 cm
Object Height/Diameter (Height x Diameter): 2 7/8 x 4 5/8 in

Credit line: William Bridges Thayer Memorial

Accession number: 1928.1632

Not on display

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Label texts

Forms of Thought

In the early phases of tea ceremony extending from the mid-14th through the late 15th centuries, Chinese ceramics (karamono), many dating to the Song dynasty, were among the mostly highly prized among Japanese tea practitioners. For example, jian ware was introduced into Japan by Buddhist monks studying in China who found its heavy body and dark glaze a perfect contrast to the vivid green color of the tea.

Forms of Thought

In the early phases of tea ceremony extending from the mid-14th through the late 15th centuries, Chinese ceramics (karamono), many dating to the Song dynasty, were highly prized by Japanese tea practitioners. For example, jian ware was introduced into Japan by Buddhist monks studying in China who found its heavy body and dark glaze a perfect contrast to the vivid green color of the tea.

Forms of Thought

Archive Label 2003:
This bowl is decorated with a glaze known as "oil spot," with silvery streaks of metallic oxide precipitating onto the surface. The rim was bound in silver to create a more pleasant surface from which to drink.