Art Institute of Chicago

Mold

China

Date

Jin dynasty (1115–1234), 12th century

Medium

Yaozhou ware; stoneware, carved and biscuit-fired

Culture

China

Department

Arts of Asia

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

After the eleventh century, the use of clay molds became increasingly common in the ceramic production of northern China. Finely carved molds impressed intricate decorations on vessels’ surfaces before firing with both precision and speed, in order to meet the growing demands for ceramic wares at the time. While molds have been excavated at various kiln sites in Shaanxi and Henan provinces, those from Yaozhou, such as this one, are believed to have produced some of the most exquisite molded designs on ceramic wares during that period.

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