Jingzhong Yuan Temple Pagoda: Vessel

CHINA, Hebei, Baoding; Northern Song dynasty

This vessel was produced at the Ding kiln in Hebei during the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127) and was discovered in the underground palace of Jingzhong Yuan Temple Pagoda in 1969. The vessel was originally placed in a stone reliquary casket against the back wall.
The vessel has a round narrow base and a tall body. It curves gently outward to form a broad shoulder. The lower part of the body is decorated with four layers of upright petals, followed by horizontal leaf and flower patterns. The shoulder has a design of downward-turning lotuses. On the shoulder, there is a short spout in the form of a dragon’s head with a horn, staring eyes, and an open mouth revealing its fangs. The tall neck has a bamboo design and opens out to form the mouth with a wide rim. The mouth has a cover, which curves inward to form a handle-like structure. They are decorated with lotus petals and leaves.