Xingyao jar

This small jar was made by the Xing kilns when at their height. It is superbly crafted and the glaze extends to the enge of the foot, and the flat unglazed base is inscribed with two characters, han and lin, above a third character, yi, meaning one. It is very rare to find a Xingyao jar inscribed Hanlin, and even rarer to find one of such small size. The name Hanlin refers to the academy of the same name, which was founded in the Tang dynasty as an advisory branch of government. The additional character, yi (one), may either suggest that this jar was one of set or refer to its size.