Large Asian Glazed Earthenware Urn with Debossed Markings.....

[Rowdy Yates]

This came down to me through my family. I was told it was an early/mid 1800s Chinese Burial Urn. It has a hole in one side that I was told was punched out to let the "spirits" out. I'm not very confident about that. Anyway, over the years I've done research here and there, but can't find any information about it. I am a retired Professional Archaeologist with 25 years experience in the San Francisco Bay Area, and I've only seen one other example which was in pieces in the archaeological archives at Cal State Hayward (now Cal State East Bay). They had no information about it either, except it was found in a Gold Rush deposit in San Francisco.

It is 19 inches tall and 15 inches in diameter across the shoulder. The debossed markings are above the shoulder and below the neck. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!

 

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[A2coins]

Very nice

 

[Clay Diggins]

I've seen one of those before. This might be the same one. I seriously doubt it's a burial urn unless it was for an entire family.

Did you get this from Walter Daniels or his estate? The one he had was deaccessioned from the Asian Museum when they made their move from the de Young to the new building in 2002 - 2003.

I would check with the Chong-Moon Lee collection in the new Asian Art Museum or with Dessa Goddard. I think Dessa is still with Bonhams on San Bruno Av. in San Fransisco.

 

[Plug N Play]

Dang, an incomplete search shows Asian urns going back thousands of years and continuing with China using biodegradable burial urns today.
These Shigaraki urns from Japan are similar and usually mentioned as "storage jars", "food jars", and, especially "tea jars".

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I'm certainly not a professional archeologist, but your "mid 1800s Chinese Burial Urn" strikes me more as a food storage container.
The two clues you have are the makers stamp and it's distinctive shape.

Considering you're a retired archaeologist in the San Francisco Bay Area you must have contacts at museums in the city.
I would consider contacting the Asian Art Museum and supply them with the attached pics.

Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: 415.581.3500
Fax: 415.581.4700

Best of luck to you,
Dave