P176 - CHINESE T’ANG DYNASTY WINE CUP

 

Circa 618

Off-white, straw color glaze, the unglazed bottom gives the impression of pottery, however it is translucent, no mark, possibly earliest type porcelain made

3 in (7.6 cm) high, 3 7/8 (9.8 cm) diameter

 

LITERATURE

Cleo M. and G. Ryland Scott Jr., Antique Porcelain Digest, Newport, England, 1961, p. 187, plate 25, fig 105.

 

EXHIBITION

On display in the Scott-Allen Collection at The High Museum of Art, Atlanta, Georgia from 1976 until 1996

 

On display in the “George Ryland Scott Collection” in The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art from June 1955 until May 1960.

 

NOTES BY CLEO M. AND G. RYLAND SCOTT, JR IN THE LATE 1950’S

WINE BOWL T'ANG DYNASTY (613-906) This wine bowl dates from the T’ang Dynasty and so far as we know is the earliest type of porcelain ever made. It is all white with a straw colored thin glaze. The unglazed bottom gives one the idea that the piece is pottery and not porcelain. By holding it, however, in front of a strong light we can see that it is translucent and therefore porcelain. We purchased it in St. Louis from a well-known Chinese dealer, who sent many years in China. The firm name is Draper and Draper. For somewhat similar specimens see Savage "Ceramics for the Collector". p. 40.