POT TERYSelections from The Fralin Permanent Collection

ACTIVITY BOOKLET

Banshan wares are distinctive for their highly curvaceous bodies and circular or swirling painted decorations. Potters formed these vessels by building up coils of clay in separate sections and assembling them together to finish the work.

Gansu Province, ChinaJar with Geometric DecorationsBanshan phase, Majiayao culture, 2600–2300 BCEEarthenware with polychrome decorationGift of Mr. and Mrs. S. Roger Horchow, 1987.42

During the Joseon dynasty in Korea, porcelain in very simple forms, like this globe shape, became very popular. Frequently, such large storage jars are decorated with abstract, loosely-rendered motifs common in Korean art, such as bamboo, grapevines, and dragons, in a single color.

KoreaStorage Jar with DragonJoseon dynasty (1392–1910), 18th centuryPorcelain with underglaze iron decorationGift of Dr. and Mrs. Hans O. Riddervold, 1995.14.1

Imitating blue cobalt ornament that originated in China, these white porcelain jars decorated with dragons were first created by Korean imperial potteries to hold flowers during special court events. By the late 18th century, the popularity and availability of these jars spread to the upper and middle classes, especially as official kilns were more frequently used for private production.

Probably Gyeonggi Province, KoreaJar with DragonJoseon dynasty (1392–1910), 19th centuryPorcelain with underglaze cobalt decorationGift of Dr. and Mrs. Hans and Anna Riddervold, 2015.16.1

Two-handled amphora like this one were created throughout Italy for storage of liquids and grain. While likely influenced by the form of imported Greek amphorae, this small vessel was decorated with a geometric relief design rather than the elaborately painted surface seen in Greek ceramic of the time.

EtruriaEtruscan Amphora, 599–500 BCECeramic7 3/4 x 8 1/2 x 7 1/4 in (19.7 x 21.6 x 18.4 cm)Gift of Harvey Sarner, 1981.39.1

This vessel represents a bowl holding zapotes, a pear-like Mesoamerican fruit. Much information about foods eaten by early Mesoamericans is derived from ceramic sculptures and vessels, often made as representational effigies.

Colima, MexicoVessel with Zapote FruitLate Preclassic to Early Classic Period 200 BCE–300 CECeramic, slip paint8 x 11 1/16 x 11 1/16 in (20.3 x 28.1 x 28.1 cm)Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Eric Heiner, 1982.106.3

The artists of Nayarit, a region in West Mexico, painted vibrant geometric designs on the exteriors of ceramic vessels. The rounded shape of this small jar is amplified by contrast with its short base; the banded motifs may represent strands of cording.

Nayarit, Mexico Jar with Geometric Designs Early to Late Post Classic Period, 900–1500 CE.Ceramic, slip paint4 1/8 x 5 1/8 dia. inchesAnonymous Gift, 1981.57.72

This small jar is embellished with serpents alternating with stepped mountain motifs. On the upper section are double-headed serpents with open mouths. Below them is a horizontal line of single-headed serpents with striped markings.

Nayarit, MexicoJar with Serpent DesignsEarly to Late Post Classic Period, 900–1500 CE.Ceramic, slip paint4 x 4 1/4 dia. inchesGift of Dr. and Mrs. Richard G. Hunter III, 1981.38.48

This long-necked jug was used to hold wine or perfumes. It is called a trefoil-mouthed oenochoe because its mouth is indented on two sides, creating a narrow spout for pouring the liquid. The jug is decorated with groups of perfect concentric circles, created by spinning the jug on a potter’s wheel while it was laying on its side.

Cypriot, 750–600 BCEBlack-on-Red Oenochoe Earthenware8 11/16 x 4 5/8 x 4 5/8 inches (22.1 x 11.7 x 11.7 cm)Gift of Hon. George C. McGhee, 1983.2.36

The hydria derives its name from the Greek word hudor—meaning water—and was used by women for drawing, carrying, and storing water. Most hydriai are larger than this one, but all have two horizontal handles on the sides used for carrying, and one vertical handle used to help pour the contents. They were also used as ballot boxes, funerary urns, and grave markers, and were also made of bronze.

Ancient Greek, Euboea, (900–31 BCE), early 5th century BCEBlack Figure Hydria Earthenware4 1/16 x 4 3/16 x 4 3/16 inches (10.3 x 10.6 x 10.6 cm)Gift of Hon. George C. McGhee, 1983.2.5

The Pueblo villages of the American southwest are renowned for producing distinctive styles of ceramics. Clays are unique to different Pueblos, and design elements span between abstract and representational. The repeating designs on this jar are contained within areas delineated by thick red bands.

Acoma Pueblo artistNew MexicoJar, early 20th c.Clay, pigment11 1/2 x 13 dia. inchesGift of Mr. and Mrs. James Lane, 1981.95.4

Taking advantage of the large rounded body and sloping neck of this jar, the artist painted a repeating design of rectangular maze patterns inspired by ancient Pueblo designs. Each bold lightning pattern is at the center of a squared, thin line that forms a spiraling maze; notice how these starting points are oriented in several directions.

A:shiwi (Zuni) ArtistNew MexicoJar, c. 1900 Clay, pigment9 1/2 x 13 dia. inchesThe William James Rucker Collection. Transfer from School of Nursing, University of Virginia, 2001.6.4

Pottery was originally made by Pueblo women for storing and serving water and foods, and artists have passed the skills of ceramic production from generation to generation. Notice how she painted a dense design of parallel lines across the upper portion of the jar, and more open stepped motifs around the body.

Acoma Pueblo artistNew MexicoJar, early 20th c.Clay, pigment11 1/2 x 12 dia. inchesThe William James Rucker Collection. Transfer from School of Nursing, University of Virginia, 2001.6.11

J S K A F A C E G N S N E E V F U U W Y I E R Q B A H O Q Q Y V Y L T F K D L H T Y H Z B C X P J X N X N S H A D C R A J Q N V D B N N A H T R O L W B I K G K B A C T Y J I N X M C E J U B B C S Q K A A E E S W S U O Q O N A Y C M R O O K R W B F B T Q G M W R B I Q Y G E Y A B W Z A P O T E S T I R A L N O E S O J P Y G Z P N J T M P B K I C W I S R C Q U W D D O O E F F T T G V W S Z X P M G C F B H N T Y K C H Q B M J T L A C P K X X Q Z I L

ACOMAHYDRIAOENOCHOE

BANSHANJOSEONZAPOTES

COBALTNAYARITZUNI

WORD SEARCH

CROSSWORD PUZZLEANSWER KEY | Down: 1. Zapotes 2. Nayarit 4. Zuni 6. Oenochoe 9. Acoma Across: 3. Banshan 5. Joseon 7. Cobalt 8. Hydria

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DOWN1. Pear-like Mesoamerican fruit 2. Region in West Mexico known for vibrant geo-

metric designs4. Pueblo that produced the maze pattern jar6. Narrow-necked pitcher from Cyrus9. Pueblo renowned for distinctive ceramics

ACROSS3. Chinese ware noted for spherical shape and

swirling designs5. Korean dynasty noted for both dragon jars7. Mineral that makes blue color on porcelain8. Three-handled Greek vessel for carrying water