New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2006.

Covered Mortuary Urn

Artist Unknown

CultureChinese | Song Dynasty

Date960-1279

MediumStoneware | Qingpai glaze | Light gray stoneware with bluish celadon glaze over molded and applied decorative elements

DimensionsOverall: 4 3/4 x 32 1/4 in. (12.1 x 81.9 cm)

Credit LineGift of Louis W. Brassard in Memory of Captain and Mrs. William F. Murdy

Object number76.26.1A

Collections

Asian Art

On View

Chrysler Museum of Art, Gallery 106

DescriptionUrn has plain ovoid body, tall cylindrical neck with bulb mouth; crimped band four small loops encircling bulb, 12 small standing figures (molded and applied) about rim on shoulders, above them a seated figure holding a sword and a relief dragon with applied medallions containing a phoenix, a horse, a deer and a snake. Above seated figures head is a large disc resting on cloud shaped swirl. Glaze is qingpai, a greenish blue tinge, finely crackled, body buff pottery.

Published ReferencesSimilar pieces illustrated: Sale 3574-Lot 199; 3799-130; 3679-421; 3528-320; 3601-124-5 _The Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities_, Stockholm, 1970, Bulletin #24, pl. 306.