Zisha Tea Canister with Reeds and Wild Geese, Yixing Ware

Yixing kiln is located in Yixing, Jiangsu province.  The lid of this jar is decorated with the characters for “pearl” and “orchid” (zhu lan). A slip painting of four wild geese in flight, calling, eating or sleeping decorates the canister body. The clay is highly refined while the form is solid and balanced. This tea canister was exclusively made for the imperial court.