Ceramics and pottery are generalized terms for clay objects shaped and fired into a hard, inelastic, non-eroding and heat-resistant objects. There are 3 pottery types: earthenware, stoneware and porcelain which differ because of the temperatures at which they are fired and ingredients that are mixed in the clay before firing. Earthenware and terracotta are synonymous pottery forms that are fired at low temperatures, while stoneware and porcelain are made with added ingredients mixed with the clay and by increasing the firing temperatures. Ceramics in our collection include pieces from China, ancient Rome and the Holy Land, India, Japan and Southeast Asia.
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Fruit plates have been used as offerings in all Chinese religions to communicate with and venerate ancestors and deities in temples or home altars, bring reciprocal blessings to the bearers, strengthen family ties and demonstrate filial piety. Offerings of fruit, vegetables, sweets, tea and flowers and lighting candles and incense were ceremonially presented on home…
Offerings of sweets, fruits, florals, tea and currency are traditionally placed on a home altar in Chinese homes and temples, often in front of ancestor figures or tablets as a form of ancestor worship in homage to their spirits. They were also placed before Buddhist and Taoist images in reverence and gratitude to the deities….
Shiwan stoneware wall-pockets “vases” were used as functional items to hold things like flowers and chopsticks and were in most Chinese homes by the late Qing Dynasty. In addition to their usefulness, they reflecting the Chinese belief that having objects with auspicious images fills your home with favorable and optimistic energy (chi). This is very…
The Eight Immortals were Taoist Deities who achieved immortality using different paths, usually dwell in mountains and hills, are portrayed singly, in pairs or as a group and are common deities seen in Taoist temples. They are folk heroes and most were actual people to whom extraordinary powers were attributed. Both Buddhist bodhisattvas and Taoist sages…
This Chinese-Republic porcelain is the Taoist Deity Lu Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals, holding his identifying symbol, a fly whisk. Fly whisks were used by Buddhists and Taoists to deflect insects without hurting them which was viewed as a way to allay ones problems and difficulties. Fly whisk (yun chou) means cloud sweeper, which…
The Song dynasty (960–1279) is considered the most culturally brilliant era in later imperial Chinese history. A massive expansion during this dynasty produced government, public and religious buildings and tombs with walls decorated with earthenware unglazed mold-made brick tiles. Some were purely decorative and others were wishes for happiness and comfort in the deceased’s afterlife called…
Earthenware terracotta pottery has played a significant role in the cultural, religious and artistic traditions of India for centuries. Indian terracotta images are considered spiritual, mystical and auspicious as Hindus believe terracotta incorporates the five natural elements of air, fire, earth, water and metal. Made with a bivalve mould that is hand luted and hand…
Earthenware terracotta pottery has played a significant role in the cultural, religious and artistic traditions of India for centuries. Indian terracotta images are considered spiritual, mystical and auspicious as Hindus believe terracotta incorporates the five natural elements of air, fire, earth, water and metal. Made with a bivalve mould that is hand luted and hand…
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