Miniature incense burner, Jun ware 1200 - 1400

This miniature incense burner, made in China, is a delicate example of Jun ware ceramics, and sits at just 4.7 cm high in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its distinctive sky-blue glaze is accented by subtle variations in tone, creating an almost ethereal quality. The form is defined by its globular body, supported by three small feet, and a gently flared rim. The beauty of Jun ware lies in its glaze. During firing, the glaze separates into layers, a process of 'deconstruction' that results in unpredictable patterns and colours. This element of chance is integral to its appeal, challenging the artist's control over the medium. The crackles and pooling of the glaze are not flaws, but rather features that enhance its aesthetic value, destabilizing traditional notions of perfection. Note how the play of light and shadow across the uneven surface invites a tactile engagement, despite being behind glass. The glaze, with its inherent imperfections, operates within a cultural discourse that values the natural and the spontaneous.