Chinese Herbal Vessel

Name/Title

Chinese Herbal Vessel

Entry/Object ID

PCP.2023.7.12

Description

Chinese vessel for herbal preparations with two pouring spouts and Chinese characters

Category

tools and equipment

Acquisition

Accession

PCP.2023.7

Made/Created

Place

County

China

Region

East Asia

Continent

Asia

Notes

Rongchang district, China

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Bowl

Height

5-3/16 in

Width

6 in

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Cultural/Historical Context

Label

This traditional late 19th- to 20th-century Chinese medicinal ceramic vessel originates from the Rongchang district in Chongqing, China, a region renowned for its pottery craftsmanship. The vessel features two distinct pouring spouts, a design element that suggests it was used for preparing and pouring medicinal herbal concoctions. The double spout may have allowed for precise pouring or mixing of liquids, catering to the specific needs of traditional Chinese medicine practices. Its simple and utilitarian form embodies the understated aesthetic of historical Chinese ceramics, while its functionality reflects the importance of herbal medicine in Chinese culture.