Ewer in the shape of a gourd c. 12th century

This 12th century Chinese ewer, crafted in the shape of a gourd, is an exemplary example of the celadon glaze that made Chinese ceramics so highly prized. The glaze, a shade of bluish-green, was applied to the stoneware body and fired at a high temperature, creating a crackled surface that adds texture and visual interest. The form and glaze of this ewer, now housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, are characteristic of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), and the ewer itself is a testament to the artistic skill and technical prowess of the anonymous artist who created it.