Deep bowl, Jun ware 1200 - 1400

This deep bowl, known as Jun ware, was made in China, its date unknown, from clay and glaze. The key to understanding it lies in its making. The bowl was likely wheel-thrown, a process demanding considerable skill to achieve such a thin, even wall. The distinctive sky-blue glaze is no accident; it's the result of a specific firing process, likely in a wood-fired kiln. This type of kiln required constant stoking and monitoring, making the process labor-intensive. The variations in color – the subtle pooling and the occasional splash of copper – speak to the unpredictable nature of high-temperature firing, where the potter relinquishes some control to the kiln’s atmosphere. While seemingly simple, this bowl embodies a sophisticated understanding of material and process. It’s a testament to the long history of ceramic production in China, where functional objects were elevated to the realm of art through technical mastery and aesthetic refinement. Recognizing this challenges conventional art hierarchies.