Cleveland Museum of Art

Flat Dish Made of Marbled Clay

Date

960–1234

Medium

Stoneware with marbled clay and transparent glaze

Culture

North or Central China, Northern Song (960–1127) or Jin dynasty (1115–1234)

Department

Chinese Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Using the marbling technique, in which light- and dark-colored clays are kneaded together ( jiaotai ; 絞胎), this dish is entirely covered with a transparent glaze, further enhancing the contrasting effect. The mixed clay technique had been used in northern China since the Tang dynasty (618–906), suggesting that potters may have attempted to imitate the effect of precious marbled glass from the ancient Near East that was traded via the Silk Road. The Keithleys acquired this dish to accompany the monumental ink drawing Poetic Pattern of Song Ware ( CMA 2020.146 ) in their collection, that was inspired by such a ceramic. This dish features lively contrasting black and beige clay marbling underneath a transparent glaze.

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