Black-glazed stoneware 'phoenix' vase (meiping)

Southern Song - Yuan period, 13th - 14th century

The striking phoenix motifs on the present vessel were applied using an innovative design feature from the Jizhou kilns. A stencil of the motif was created from a paper cut and attached to the body of the vessel. Once the vessel had been dipped in glaze slurry and the glaze had dried, the stencils were removed and more details added. Once dried, the decorated areas were covered in clear glaze for protection before firing.