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Pilgrim Bottle

Asian Art

On View: Asian Galleries, West, 2nd floor (China)
This clay flask mimics the shape of leather water vessels used by travelers throughout the world. In China, canteens made of animal skin were associated primarily with nomadic people—such as the ancestors of the Liao rulers—and with Buddhist pilgrims, who traveled long distances to visit holy sites. Many ceramic re-creations of leather flasks have been found in Liao tombs among the many items needed by the dynasty’s horse-riding elite for their journey into the afterlife.
MEDIUM Earthenware, green glaze
  • Place Made: China
  • DATES 907–1125
    DYNASTY Liao Dynasty
    PERIOD Liao Dynasty
    DIMENSIONS 10 9/16 in. (26.8 cm)  (show scale)
    COLLECTIONS Asian Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 50.162
    CREDIT LINE Gift of Horace O. Havemeyer, by exchange
    EXHIBITIONS
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Asian Galleries, West, 2nd floor (China)
    CAPTION Pilgrim Bottle, 907–1125. Earthenware, green glaze, 10 9/16 in. (26.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Horace O. Havemeyer, by exchange, 50.162. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 50.162_bw.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 50.162_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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     <em>Pilgrim Bottle</em>, 907–1125. Earthenware, green glaze, 10 9/16 in. (26.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Horace O. Havemeyer,  by exchange, 50.162. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 50.162_bw.jpg)