Title
Bowl with makara
Year/Period
Tang dynasty, around 830s
Region
Changsha kilns, Hunan province, China
Material
Dimension
Object Size: 4.9 x 15.1 x 15.3 cm
Accession No.
2005.1-00542
Collection of
Credit Line
The Tang Shipwreck was acquired through the generous donation of the Estate of Khoo Teck Puat.
Ceramics from the Changsha kilns in Hunan province form the bulk of the cargo of the wreck. Some 55,000 finely made and individually decorated bowls were on board. This staggering number is testimony to the organisation and creativity of China’s ceramic industry. Most of the bowls follow a few basic designs, including flowers, leaves, birds, and clouds. Depictions of the makara, with its large glaring eyes, wide open mouth, and sharp teeth, are relatively rare. This hybrid sea monster was introduced to Tang culture from India along with Buddhism. It is often shown chasing a flaming jewel, the cintamani, which represents Buddha and his doctrine.
