Tea jar c. 18th century

Curator: This striking, earthenware tea jar dates back to the 18th century. The Rijksmuseum houses this fascinating piece of Asian art. Editor: It’s wonderfully tactile, isn’t it? That soft, reddish-brown hue. The clay practically begs to be touched. Curator: Absolutely. And it is not just decorative, of course, but very utilitarian; imagine the lives it has witnessed, the countless infusions of tea. The carvings contain important clues for understanding identity and cultural beliefs through visual culture. The dragons, especially. How do they speak to you? Editor: Well, thinking about it as a vessel, it highlights the importance of material culture in shaping rituals. Someone invested considerable labor in shaping and decorating it. I’m wondering about the artisan, their social standing and their daily practices. Curator: Exactly! And the question then becomes, what was it like to partake in the ritual of tea? The carvings give an entry point to discussing social and cultural implications regarding gender, race and class. Consider what meanings the act of drinking tea might hold, as well as for whom. Editor: True, tea as a commodity and social practice changed societies globally, with massive consequences in its wake for labor relations and global trade networks. Each element is a trace of that journey. Curator: Considering this earthenware tea jar allows a powerful conversation, not only of its aesthetic beauty, but as a site for the discussion of social contexts that shaped identities around consumption and commerce. Editor: Looking closer at the jar really makes one reflect on all these hands it took, all this expertise to produce. What seems so simple, so mundane, contains volumes when considering processes, labor and the material of daily life.