Jar

8th-9th century

North China

Stoneware with glaze

H. 9 3/8 x Diam. 11 in. (23.8 x 27.9 cm)

Asia Society, New York: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, 1979.130

Stonewares covered with black, very dark blue, or dark brown glazes, such as this one, were produced throughout northern China during the Tang period (618-906). Since similar glazes continued to be used for household goods during the Northern Song period (960-1127), stonewares of this type remain difficult to date precisely. The very bulbous body of this wide-mouthed jar that was probably used for storage suggests that it dates to the 8th or 9th century because smaller jars of a similar shape date to the Tang period. In comparison, Song-dynasty examples of this type of jar generally have much straighter sides.