A Damaged and Discarded Thing

Abstract

The two-storey building on display here is a rather grand building. It has a finely curved roof on each of the two floors, carved panels and latticework on either side of the doors, steps leading to the front entrance, and a setting with trees, plants and a panelled fence. All this appears in fine shades of cobalt blue on a white surface. The decorative edge running along the top of the object consists of simple circular, hatched and swirly patterns. Evidence of damage, however, partially obscures the drawing of the building. Soil and grit have been burnt into the glaze, leaving traces all over the surface of the object, and its shape has been distorted. The very top edge of the object shows traces of a rust-coloured line, similar in shade to the soil attached to the glaze. Although the object sustained serious damage during the firing process, it was clearly intended to be a cup with a single handle, about 6 cm high and perhaps 4 cm in diameter, although its squashed shape makes this difficult to ascertain. That much is clear from looking at the image.