Melon-Shaped Ewer with Triple-Strand Handle and Floral Tendrils

Liao dynasty (907–1124), 11th century

China

This ewer was probably used to pour wine, which was customarily served warm. Its grey-tinged glaze, melon-like form, and triple-strand handle with floral tendrils are most distinctive to ceramics made under the Liao, a semi-nomadic people who conquered north China and established their southern capital in the area of present-day Beijing (Peking).

Status: On View, Gallery 134
Department: Arts of Asia

Title: Melon-Shaped Ewer with Triple-Strand Handle and Floral Tendrils
Place: China (Artist's nationality:)
Date Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.: 1000–1099
Medium: Porcelain with underglaze molded decoration
Dimensions: 15.7 × 9.5 cm (6 3/16 × 3 3/4 in.); Diam.: 9.5 cm (3 3/4 in.)
Credit Line: Lucy Maud Buckingham Collection
Reference Number: 1924.336
IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world. Learn more.: https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/12407/manifest.json

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Melon-Shaped Ewer with Triple-Strand Handle and Floral Tendrils

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Date Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

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IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world. Learn more.

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IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.