Storage Jar, late 1300s-1400s. The red colour of this jar comes from iron in the clay. Natural ash glaze settled on the vessel during firing. The rim would have been complete with a slightly flared lip. Around the collar is an incised pattern resembling cypress fences, a common scene in the Japanese landscape. Intended for grain storage, rustic vessels like this one were also prized by tea enthusiasts, who appreciated the uncalculated beauty of the glaze and the asymmetry of these humble vessels.

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Size: 4505px × 4949px
Photo credit: © Heritage Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 1392-1573, art, ash, ceramic, cleveland, glaze, heritage, japan, muromachi, museum, natural, period, shigaraki, stoneware, unknown, ware