Bottle

CultureChinese

DateNorthern Song dynasty (960-1127)

MediumStoneware covered in a low-iron glaze

DimensionsOverall: 11 × 5 1/2 inches (27.94 × 13.97 cm)

Credit LineBequest from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Myron S. Falk Jr.

Object number2001.21.1

On View

On view

Gallery Location

Collections

East Asian Art

Terms

DescriptionLight-green pear-shaped vase with slender neck and slightly everted rim and foot. Underneath the reflective finish, the light-green glaze has a reptilian scale-like crackled appearance. A chip is on the glazed foot and a crack is visible along the neck.Exhibition History

Exhibition History

Masterpieces of Asian Art in American Collections, Asia House Gallery, New York, 1960.

Gallery Label

The Song Dynasty marks important intellectual and artistic revolutions in Chinese porcelain history. Technical perfections and aesthetic refinements achieved during this time established the pinnacle criteria for porcelains for later generations. This rare vase was fashioned by an Imperial kiln active during the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The austere and harmonic combination of the satiny monochrome glaze, elegant neck, and globular pear-shaped body illustrates the Song's creative ability and style. Upon viewing, it is easy to understand why celadon porcelain was often described in Chinese literature as resembling jade, snow, ice, or silver.

Provenance

With Mathias Komor, New York, stock no. RT 69, by May 27, 1950;

Purchased from Komor by Myron S. Falk, Jr. (1906-1992) and Pauline B. Falk (1910-2000), New York, no. 196, May 27, 1950-2000 [1];

Their bequest to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 2001.

NOTES:

[1] A copy of Komor’s receipt is in the Nelson-Atkins curatorial file, and this object is listed in an inventory and documented with photographs in the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art Archives, FSA.A2002.03, Pauline B. and Myron S. Falk, Jr. Papers, Box 48, folder 4 and Box 57, folder 1, respectively. Copies are in the Nelson-Atkins curatorial files.

Published References

Jason Steuber, New At The Nelson:Rare Song Dynasty Vase From Falk Collection Finds New Home At Nelson-Atkins, Nelson-Atkins, Calendar of Events (Kansas City, Missouri: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, June 2002) (repro.).

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