This globular jar has a cup-like mouth and lugs on the shoulder. It is decorated with streaky 'sancai' glazes that stop short of the foot. A large peony motif is carved at the centre.Lead glazes were introduced during the Han dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) and were further developed during the Tang to include streaky ‘sancai’ (‘three-colour’) glazes of amber and green as depicted on these pieces.These pieces are made from moulds that are covered in lead glaze. During firing, colours in the glaze mingle with each other naturally to form vertical streaks. The streaky glazes originate from the colouring oxides present in the glazes. Copper oxide forms greens while iron oxide gives brown and yellow.
