<em>Large Jar</em>, 1573–1619. Porcelain, blue underglaze, 19 1/8 x 14 9/16 in. (48.5 x 37 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the executors of the Estate of Colonel Michael Friedsam, 32.1025a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 32.1025a-b_acetate_bw.jpg)

Large Jar, 1573–1619. Porcelain, blue underglaze, 19 1/8 x 14 9/16 in. (48.5 x 37 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the executors of the Estate of Colonel Michael Friedsam, 32.1025a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 32.1025a-b_acetate_bw.jpg)

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Were these pots painted?

Yes, these Chinese blue-and-white porcelain vessels would have been painted as part of their production process. Cobalt blue pigment would have been painted onto the surface of the vessel prior to glazing and firing.

Due to the high heat required to create porcelain, few pigments would have been able to withstand this process. Cobalt is one of those pigments!

This is so beautiful!

This is an example of Ming-dynasty blue-and-white porcelain, often regarded as the height of sophistication and craftsmanship in the style.

This jar was likely produced for a domestic Chinese audience. The figure on the jar, thought to be related to a Chinese novel written in the early Ming dynasty, would have resonated with the scholarly elite of the time.

Were these Chinese ceramics thrown on a wheel?

Yes. While early on in the history of Chinese ceramics, the vessels were hand-molded, by the late Neolithic period, the potter's wheel facilitated the production of more uniform vessels.

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Large Jar

Asian Art

Decoration on blue-and-white porcelain often shared the same subjects as either paintings for elite consumers or illustrations of stories in woodblock prints and books for more popular taste. The scholar portrayed on this jar seated at his desk might be Zhuge Liang (181–284), courtesy name Kongming, a popular subject from his role in the famous novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Zhuge was a notable military strategist and historical figure. This story, with its emphasis on Neo-Confucian values, also became important in Choson dynasty Korea.

MEDIUM Porcelain, blue underglaze

Place Made: China

DATES 1573–1619

DYNASTY Ming dynasty

PERIOD Wanli Period

DIMENSIONS 19 1/8 x 14 9/16 in. (48.5 x 37 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Asian Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 32.1025a-b

CREDIT LINE Gift of the executors of the Estate of Colonel Michael Friedsam

EXHIBITIONS

Infinite Blue

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Large Jar, 1573–1619. Porcelain, blue underglaze, 19 1/8 x 14 9/16 in. (48.5 x 37 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the executors of the Estate of Colonel Michael Friedsam, 32.1025a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 32.1025a-b_acetate_bw.jpg)

IMAGE component, a, 32.1025a-b_acetate_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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