Sancai – A Three-Colour Glaze

The hemispherical pot, made during the Chinese Tang Dynasty (618-907), was originally used as a burial object. This vessel is classified as earthenware, which was fired at a low temperature. Due to the low firing temperature, unglazed earthenware is not waterproof.

The pot is covered with a three-colour glaze known as sancai, with a transparent glaze applied on top.

Lead-glazed pottery, such as this small pot, was produced for funerary use from the end of the 7th century until approximately the middle of the 8th century. These items were made in the provinces of Shaanxi and Henan. The Huangye kilns, which specialised in the production of lead-glazed wares, were located in what is now the city of Gongyi in Henan province.