Historic Jars (with Lids) by Amanda Hanson

So for this assignment I decided to look up jars, or even lidded vaces, on The Metropolitan Museum of Art website. I went through a lot of pages and found several that I liked for different reasons, here they are.

(Above) Large storage jar with floral decoration - http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/100030336

I chose to look at this storage jar because, for this assignment I'm more interested in trying out different slips and stencils to decorate my pieces. I liked the sharpness that the floral decoration had, and that it was only on the top section of the jar, rather then all the way down the piece.

(Above) Large Baluster jar with figure of hawk on lid - http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/60019975

I chose this piece because I've always been drawn to Asain art. I just love the amount of details that can be seen in it, there is just so much to look at (seriously click on the link and go to the full screen mode for it.) I just wish that the picture could be in color; I used the description of it on the website (Porcelain with underglaze blue decoration, overglaze enamels, and gold) to find similar examples online, and it lead me to the two images below.

This jar, even if it is a little busy color wise, is by far my favorite jar out of everything I've seen so far. It's from the Ming dynasty, and the fish illustrated on it are carp. Here's a link to a website with more images of it, and even more links to jars like this http://www.alaintruong.com/archives/2012/07/26/24778439.html

The way that the carp have been illustrated is what got to me, since I illustrate fish in a similar manner. Aside from that I love the use of white space on this jar, as well as the curve of both the lid and the jar itself.

 

(Below) Jar depicting three spirited peacocks - http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/140008333

Another lidless jar that I found. This time I chose it because of the very strange and stylized peacock painted on it.

(Below) Jar with lid, from the Qing dynasty - http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/60019472

Once again I tried to find a colored image of this piece, or of a similar piece, but no such luck this time. I really wish I could see what it actually looked it. My favorite areas on this jar are the sections of repeating patterns by the foot of the jar, and below the neck of the jar. I wasn't sure about using patterns on my own jars, but this is convincing me otherwise.

 (Above) Jar Qing dynasty - http://www.metmuseum.org/collections/search-the-collections/60021495

You know how a minute ago I said that the carp jar was my favorite? Well I've changed my mind, I somehow just managed to fall in love with a piece of porcelain. The line work, the intricate pattern all over the jar, the delicate shading on the flowers. It's all amazing, and I just found a ton more of these, none of them are in color which is breaking my heart. Please go look at all of these, I've been in an artists slump for a week now, and I'm finally inspired to work again, off to the studio!