Small bowl, Jun ware 1100 - 1300

Editor: This is a Small Bowl made of Jun ware, sometime between 1100 and 1300. What I find striking is the color—this cool blue with what looks like purple markings almost like a constellation, and the lovely gradient across its surface. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Precisely, its form is paramount. Observe the bowl’s symmetrical curves. They demonstrate mastery over the medium. The glaze itself warrants close attention. Notice how the varying thickness affects color saturation. Editor: The thickness changes the color? So, is the color inherent in the glaze or is it due to light? Curator: An excellent question. The colour arises from the inherent optical qualities of the glaze in reaction to light and heat. Consider also the intentionality of the rim, unglazed to reveal the body beneath. Does this contrast contribute to a semiotic tension? Editor: Definitely! I noticed the rim sets off the glaze. The bare clay provides such an amazing textural and color contrast to the glossy interior. Would that contrast still work without the splash of purple? Curator: The purple inclusions create visual discordance, certainly. These elements may break the symmetry and invite a deeper consideration. But are they truly disruptive? Or do they, in their own way, contribute to the object’s internal structural integrity? Editor: That’s a different perspective than I had. Thanks for the insights. I'll definitely be thinking more about structure now. Curator: Likewise, your attentiveness has prompted new thoughts. I appreciate this formal analysis.