Minneapolis Institute of Art

Long-necked vase

China

Date

10th-12th century

Medium

Porcelain with transparent glaze

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Porcelain produced during the Liao dynasty (916-1125) is relatively rare and this elegant vessel is further distinguished by its large size and fine condition. Stoutly potted of ovoid form with a full cylindrical neck, its decoration consists of only two thread relief bands on the shoulder and neck and a rolled-out lip rim. It stands on a flat, rimless foot and its finely crackled, transparent glaze reveals a smooth porcelain body. The unevenly applied glaze has pooled in areas around the shoulder affecting a greenish-blue tone where the glaze has thickened While both the Ding and the Cizhou kilns in north China came under Khitan control with the founding of Liao, white wares remained in production. Early Ding porcelains often have a blue-tinged glaze distinct from the yellowish tint characteristic of later Ting ware. This color shift was due to a change in kiln fuel from wood to coal which occurred sometime around the tenth century. A large vase of similar form has been excavated from a Liao tomb in Fa ku county, Liaoning province. Asia

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