Minneapolis Institute of Art

Tripod Censer

China

Date

12th-13th century

Medium

Stoneware with black glaze and silver oil-spot markings in overglaze iron oxide

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

With renewed antiquarian studies during the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127), ancient bronze shapes including Ding tripods began to be appropriated as incense burners. Furthermore, new censers in bronze and glazed ceramic, were now commissioned in the ancient styles. Appearing black, the dark-brown glaze covering the interior and exterior of this cauldron is suffused throughout with silvery oil-spot markings. The oil-spot effect was achieved by the application of iron-rich solutions to the glaze in a way that resulted in super-saturated iron compounds collecting into the desired silvery spots. This rare oil-spot censer is apparently unique. Technical characteristics indicate that it probably comes from kilns near Zibo in Shandong province. Its dating has been confirmed with a thermoluminescent test. China, Asia

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