Antique Chinese Ceramic Tea Leaf Storage Jar Song-Yuan Dynasty

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Description

A stoneware pottery jar used for storage, made in southern China Fujian or Guangdong province since Song Dynasty for domestic … Read more A stoneware pottery jar used for storage, made in southern China Fujian or Guangdong province since Song Dynasty for domestic use as well as export. They were widely exported to Japan, Southeast Asia and further afield, and sometimes known as Martaban Jars due to the transit port of that name in Burma. In Japan, this type of earthy pot with ears were imported and often used as storage jar for tea leaves. A few of them served in important tea ceremonies (chado) and were elevated to the status of National treasures.
This jar on offer is of the classic form, likely made in the South China during Southern Song to Yuan Dynasty (11-14th century, precisely dating these pieces are difficult). The jar features a half dipped dark iron glaze on the top half of the body. Some glaze running and uneven application makes this piece very charming. Four hand-molded handles perch on the shoulder for ropes in its original use. Strong surface wear and characteristic patina suggests its age and possible burial history. Part of the glaze appears worn off due to the use and age, or it wasn't applied fully originally. It retains an old dealer sticker on the lower part as shown in one of the detail photos.
These utilitarian jars were humble in nature, unrefined and rustic, devoid of excessive decoration, but some resumed a mystic status in Japanese, Philippine and Borneo Dyak culture. A jar named "Chigusa" was acquired by Freer and Sackler from Christie's in 2009 for its long-documented history in Japanese tea ceremony.
For a smaller and similar piece, see Accession no. LI1301.391 in The Barlow Collection in Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. See less