Tea Bowl

Place of OriginChina

DateSong Dynasty (960-1279)

DimensionsDiam: 5 in. (12.7 cm)

MediumJian porcelaneous stoneware.

ClassificationCeramics

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1927.34

Not on View

Label TextJian ware, named for the province where it was produced, is a heavy ceramic with a thick iron-brown glaze. Only tea bowls were made and they are associated with the Chan Buddhist tea cult. Such tea bowls appear to be rough and spontaneously produced, but they have concealed subtleties. The Chinese thought that the dark brown color of these bowls set off the green of brewed Chinese tea.