H: 15 cm
D: 13.5 cm

This jar is a representative work of Cizhou ceramics. It was produced by carving ridgelines onto the halfly dried pottery to form raised vertical rib patterns in the sides. Ithas a pair of small strap loop handles on the shoulder, covered overall in a black glaze and thinning to pale brown at the raised ribs, exposing the buff coloured body. During the high temperature firing process of the pottery, the black glaze was allowed to flow naturally through the carved lines. This created distinguishing black and white contrast in tonality where the rhythmic lines became the pattern, a significant representation of the bold characteristics of the Northern kilns.