Jar
Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD)
Porcellanous clay, iron oxide glaze

The Tang period was one of great consolidation and expansion. At its height China reached as far as the borders of India and Persia.

In the Tang dynasty, earthenware was replaced with stoneware, which fired at a much higher temperature, was stronger and more waterproof.

This piece is a glowing ginger colour and might have been bought last week in Chinatown — until you look closely. Extremely elegant and obviously the work of an artist, rather than mass production. But the shape lives on.