Jingdezhen kilns
Covered Tiger Jar with Daoist Symbols
12th-13th century
Physical Qualities
Porcelain with transparent glaze, Overall: 88.9 cm. (35 in.) H
Credit Line
Given in Memory of Mr. and Mrs. Liu Hsien-pu
Object Number
2016.63.2
Daoist imagery decorates this pair of funerary vessels and includes animals associated with the four cardinal directions: dragon (east), tiger (west), tortoise (north), and bird (south). Encircling the lower register on both vessels, 12 figures, possibly Daoist deities or human mourners, stand in line. The seated figure in the upper register may represent Xiwangmu, the Queen Mother of the West, or the Jade Emperor; the standing figure could be a young Daoist goddess or a person. The small figure wearing a scholar’s hat may be kowtowing as a sign of respect or crawling.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 2016; private collection, Honolulu; purchased c. 1987, Guangzhou
On View: Levy Gallery 2
