Pair of Glazed Stoneware Arrow Vases, Longquan Touhu
Pair of Glazed Stoneware Arrow Vases, Longquan Touhu
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Pair of Glazed Stoneware Arrow Vases, Longquan Touhu

YUAN DYNASTY (13th-14th Century)

Height: 15.5 cm (6 1/2 inches)

 

Resting on wide, straight footrims, each vase rises to rounded sides, tapering to a long, slender neck and culminating in a slightly flared mouthrim. On either side of the necks, are mounted two small, cylindrical handles. The pear-shaped bodies are glazed in a smooth, silky-textured, sea-green glaze, running down the the foot leaving the stoneware exposed, where it is burnt reddish-brown from firing. 

 

Arrow cases (touhu) were traditionally used in Chinese drinking games of the elite. Arrows would have been thrown into these vases, which would have originally been made in bronze, and for every missed attempt, the player would suffer a penalty drink.

 

This particular pair was likely intended to hold small flowers.