隋至唐 青瓷扁壶|Flask with molded decoration
Unknown Artist
late 6th–early 7th century
Medium
Stoneware with molded decoration under olive-yellow glaze
Dimensions
H. 8 15/16 in. (22.7 cm); W. 7 5/8 in. (19.4 cm); D. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture & Period
China · Sui (581–618)–early Tang (618–907) dynasty
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1916
Accession Number
16.165
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant flask, crafted during the late Sui (581–618) to early Tang (618–) dynasty around the late 6th to 7th century, the dawn of China's ceramic golden age. Transitioning from the short-lived Sui unification to the prosperous Tang era, potters developed durable stoneware fired at high temperatures, ideal for everyday vessels like this flattened flask, possibly used for storing liquids such as wine or oil. Its compact dimensions—about 9 inches tall and 7.5 inches wide—made it both practical and portable, blending utility with artistry. The flask's standout feature is its molded decoratio...