Flat Dish Made of Marbled Clay North or Central China, Northern Song (960–1127) or Jin dynasty (1115–1234)

Flat Dish Made of Marbled Clay

絞釉盤

960–1234

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

(1115–1234)

Stoneware with marbled clay and transparent glaze

Diameter: 16.8 cm (6 5/8 in.)

Nancy F. and Joseph P. Keithley Collection Gift 2020.187

Location: 238 Chinese Ceramics

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Did You Know?

This dish features lively contrasting black and beige clay marbling underneath a transparent glaze.

Description

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.