Vase with Peony Decoration

A tall meiping vase with a narrow mouth and rounded shoulder, its dark glaze cut through to reveal white slip in scrolling peony blossoms, leaves and tendrils. Lower body is patterned with upright lobed petal shapes, a Cizhou-type technique of sgraffito-like decoration under glaze.

Look closer: Small rust-colored speckles and a lighter rim glaze at the mouth of the vase.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1000s-1100s

Medium

Gray stoneware with underglaze slip decoration, Cizhou ware

Source

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Size

2582 × 3400 px

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of William G. Mather