Ancient

ceramics, timeline, ancient

  • Ewer with three feet, China

    Ewer with three feet, China, Shandong province, about 2500 BC. Museum no. FE.8-2000

    Ewer with three feet
    China, Shandong province
    about 2500 BC
    Unglazed earthenware
    Museum no. FE.8-2000
    Purchased with funds from Mr T.T. Tsui

    This early ewer was made from the same kaolin-rich clay as porcelain. But at this date high-temperature porcelain kilns had not been invented. The clay was therefore fired below 1050ºC and has remained a porous earthenware.

    Kaolin is more resistant to heat than other clays. This fact, together with the ewer's distinctive shape, suggests that it was placed over a fire for boiling water.

  • Jar with spirals, China

    Jar with spirals, China, Gansu province, 2000–1700 BC. Museum no. C.286-1938

    Jar with spirals
    China, Gansu province
    2000-1700 BC
    Unglazed earthenware, painted and burnished after firing
    Museum no. C.286-1938

    Large jars of this kind were used for storage and in burials. Examples have been found that contain food remains and children's bones.

    The body was made from the fine, wind-blown soil called loess. The loess was formed into rolls of clay, which were coiled round and smoothed to build up the walls. This coiling technique was widespread before the invention of the potter's wheel.

  • Monumental sceptre, Egypt

    Monumental sceptre, Egypt, 1427–1400 BC. Museum no. 437-1895

    Monumental sceptre
    Egypt
    1427-1400 BC
    Composition with alkaline glaze (faience). Inscription naming pharaoh Amenhotep II (ruled 1427-1400 BC)
    Museum no. 437-1895
    Given by H.M. Kennard, Esq. through Prof. Flinders Petrie, University College, London

    The huge sceptre is the largest known example of ancient Egyptian faience. Composed of powdered quartz rather than clay, faience was moulded or modelled by hand. It was the first material to have a glaze, here coloured turquoise by the addition of copper.

    The sceptre, a symbol of divine power, was found in fragments in a temple. Its animal head probably represents the god Seth.

  • Jar with geometric designs, Cyprus

    Jar with geometric designs, Cyprus, perhaps Kourion, about 750–600 BC. Museum no. 222-1883

    Jar with geometric designs
    Cyprus, perhaps Kourion
    about 750-600 BC
    Unglazed earthenware, made in sections and assembled, covered with buff slip and painted
    Museum no. 222-1883

    The jar, used for storing wine or water, was made in two halves. They were thrown on a potter's wheel and 'luted' together with slip (liquid clay).

    Cyprus was colonised first from Greece, from 1500 BC, and then from Phoenicia (modern Lebanon). In 709 BC it came under Assyrian control. The refined decoration reflects this cultural mix and the high social status of the jar's owners.

  • Boar’s-head drinking cup, Greece

    Boar’s-head drinking cup, Greece, Athens, about 460 BC. Museum no. 669-1864

    Boar's-head drinking cup
    Greece, Athens
    about 460 BC
    Unglazed earthenware, painted in slip
    Museum no. 669-1864

    Moulded from earthenware, the cup was painted with black slip apart from the silhouettes of the figures, which were left unpainted. This 'red figure' technique allowed the fired clay to show through. Skilful manipulation of kiln conditions was needed to achieve the bright red and glossy black.

    The maker was probably the famous potter Sotades, who specialised in vessels with unusual shapes.

  • Green-glazed storage jar, China

    Green-glazed storage jar, China, Zhejiang province, Western Han dynasty (206 BC–AD 8). Museum no. C.138-1913

    Green-glazed storage jar
    China, Zhejiang province
    Western Han dynasty (206 BC-AD 8)
    Glazed stoneware, with incised and combed decoration
    Museum no. C.138-1913

    The clays of southern China need a relatively high temperature to mature. This led to advances in kiln technology, and by 1500 BC southern Chinese potters were using firing temperatures up to 1200ºC. The stonewares they made were the world's first high-fired ceramics.

    The olive-green glaze was made using a mixture of clay and wood ash. The colour resulted from minor impurities in the clay.