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What are the hare's-fur and oil-spot effects on Jian tea bowls?
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Chinese pottery
Painted Pottery funerary urn, Neolithic Banshan phase, c. 3000 bce, from Yangshao, Henan province, China; in the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm. Height 13.2 inches (33.5 cm).
In the context of Jian ware—a type of dark-glazed Chinese stoneware produced primarily during the Song dynasty—the hare's-fur and oil-spot effects refer to distinct, highly prized variations in the appearance of the glaze.12
- Hare's-fur: This effect is characterized by streaks of lighter brown color within the dark, iron-oxide-based glaze, which resemble the markings of a hare's fur.12
- Oil-spot: This effect features silvery, mottled spots scattered across the glaze, creating a distinct, shimmering appearance.12
These decorative effects were achieved through the natural behavior of the thick, viscous glaze during the firing process. Because of their aesthetic appeal, these bowls were highly esteemed by Chan (Zen) Buddhist monks and were later imported to Japan, where they became known as temmoku and were central to the ritualized tea ceremony.123