Cup
Ceramics
China
Materials:
Porcelain
Technique:
Qingbai bluish-white glazed porcelain 青白磁
Date:
Song dynasty, 11th-12th c.
Size:
Diam. 10,9 cm
Place of origin:
China, Jiangxi, imperial kilns of Jingdezhen
Description:
The cup is shallow, with rounded sides spreading to an everted six-foil rim, and wide spreading foot with hollowed-out base. The stand is dish-shaped, with a flat rim and stepped pedestal in the centre with top recessed to hold the cup; it is raised on a high, six-lobed foot with foliate rim, each lobe being decorated with a pierced trefoil. Thinly-potted white porcelain with pale greenish-blue tinted glaze; both bases unglazed, and showing the brown marks of kiln-support.
Comments:
The term qingbai, which literally means “bluish-white”, does not refer to a precise place, but denotes a type of porcelain whose translucent glaze produces a delicate range of bluish hues.
These sets of cups and saucers suitable for both tea and alcoholic drinks were introduced in the tenth century. The same design was used in ceramic, silver and lacquerware.
Inventory number:
CB.CC.1931.120
Copyright:
Fondation Baur
Photographer:
Marian Gérard