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UGR-06005 Jar with underglaze red and incised decoration of fish and aquatic plants, Unmarked, Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368), Hu-Tian Kiln.
Height:28.4cm, Mouth diameter:1.7cm, Foot diameter:20.1cm, Inside foot diameter:0.3cm,   Weight:6000g
This ware has been cleansed with Oxalic Acid to remove dirt and viscidities to restore its original luster for collection and preservation.

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Reference (The form of ware):

1. Liu Ru-shui. ¡§Picture 3-3: The form of pitcher and jar in Yuan dynasty¡¨ Appreciation of China, 2nd Ed, Taipei: Shuchuan, Aug. 2004, p.89. (Fig.A036-18)

2. Ma Xi-gui. ¡§Picture 65: Jar with underglaze-blue decoration of fish and aquatic plants in lotus pond¡¨ Chinese Blue and White Porcelain, Shanghai: Shanghai Gu Ji, 1999, p.57. (Fig.A041-13)

This jar has vertical rim, wide shoulder, slender belly and flared foot. It¡¦s the typical form of jar ware in Yuan dynasty (1279-1368). 

It was jointed by two sections.  The whole body of this jar was incised with decoration of fish and aquatic plants.  The rest of blank area was painted with pigment of copper red.   

This jar was decorated with five layers from top to the bottom.  It was decorated with floral lines around month rim and peony scrolls around shoulder.  The others are aquatic plants, leaf scrolls, and lotus petal with Buddhist emblems in the belly.

Underglaze-red is painted with pigment of copper red on white modeled clay first, and then with transparent glaze. After painting, the modeled clay will be burned in kiln and become porcelain with underglaze color.

Reference:(Decoration)¡G

1. Department of Cultural Affairs in Beijing City ed. ¡§Large jar with decoration of fish and aquatic plants¡¨ Chinese Treasure in Topkapi Palace - Chinese Expert Research on Turkish Blue and White Porcelains from Yuan Dynasty, Beijing: Beijing Yan-shan, Oct. 2003, 162-163. (Fig.A048-6,7)

2. Liu Liang-You. ¡§The form and decoration of porcelain in Yuan Dynasty¡¨ The National Palace Museum Monthly of Chinese Art No.52. Vol. 5, Issue 4. Taipei: Yu-tai, Jul.1987, p.70. (Fig.G052-9)

However, copper element becomes very instable under high temperature. It will volatilize easily, especially over1250 degrees centigrade.   

Thus, it is rare to produce porcelain with pure red, mostly black red or gray. 

The white glaze is transparent with slight green. In Yuan dynasty (1279-1368), there are two kinds of glaze color. One is transparent white with slight blue. The other is transparent white with slight green. Most porcelain for trade has the color of second kind.

Besides, this jar has flat foot bottom, where there is obvious scraping mark. It also has many sand holes, dry and loose clay quality with black iron spots.

The use of pigment for underglaze-red and underglaze-blue is different.  Underglaze-red uses pigment of copper red, but underglaze-blue uses pigment of cobalt.  The pigment of copper red, which has instable characteristic under high temperature while combustion, is easily to dissociate and volatilize.  Therefore, porcelain with pure red is rare. It¡¦s easy to have scattered lines and occasionally with green or yellow specks.

Fine and white clay appears a little dry and loose. The clay used for porcelain in Yuan dynasty (1279-1368) is mixed with porcelain stone and Ma-cang clay. It is highly conductive to stand fire and not to change shape easily after combustion.

Reference (Ma-cang Clay and Hu-tain Kiln):

1. Liu, Liang-you. ¡§Studies on Relative questions of underglaze blue and red¡¨ Research of Antique Porcelain, Taipei: Youth Culture, Jan. 1988, p.170. (Ref.A037-9)

2. Liu, Xin-yuan / Bai Kuen. ¡§Research paper of porcelain: Investigation of Kaolin-research on porcelain stone, kaolin, and porcelain industry of Jingdezhen from 10th to 19th century.¡¨ Porcelain and Art, United Porcelain Net

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