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  • ceramics

    • Artifact ID #: 936
    • Excavation Unit: 13.5N 26W
    • Level: 10-20cmbs
    • Identification: Chinese porcelain liquor cup, “Four Seasons” or “Four Flowers” design. This style of dish is called “Four Seasons” or “Four Flowers” because of the use of four separate floral motifs that are more clearly seen on the bowls or plates of this design. The four flowers each represent the four seasons of Spring (orchid), Summer (plum blossom), Fall (chrysanthemum), and Winter (bamboo), and was based on a long tradition of Chinese art. What makes this particular Chinese pottery style unique was the use of hand-painted decoration instead of a decal or pattern. Similar to celadon-style ceramics, “Four Seasons” comes in a variety of forms including bowls, sauce dishes, saucers, spoons, and small liquor cups. This small cup was likely used to serve imported tea or a type of rice or sorghum-based liquor that came in ceramic jars. “Four Seasons” vessels were an expensive brand of Chinese pottery, comparable to “Celadon” types, but substantially higher than “Bamboo” vessels. The presence of a high number of “Four Seasons” and “Celadon” in a single area might indicate that the occupant of a home was more wealthy than their neighbors.


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