Description: Decoration consisting of concentric circles of alternating colored clay.   Cataloging Example for Depicted Sherd: Stylistic Genre Slipware, factory made Interior/Exterior Location Decorative Technique Color Stylistic Element Motif Exterior Body Bull’s Eye Inlay Yellow, Muted Dark Bull’s Eye Individual A Exterior Body Bull’s Eye Inlay Yellow-Red, Muted Medium Bull’s Eye Individual A    

Description: A bridge is any element that spans a body of water.   Cataloging Example for Depicted Sherd: Stylistic Genre Handpainted Blue Interior/Exterior Location Decorative Technique Color Stylistic Element Motif Exterior Body Painted, under free hand Purple-Blue, Intense Dark Bridge Individual A    

Description: Use Botanical, sprig to capture any botanical or floral sprigs seen on a sherd. A sprig is defined as a small spray, twig, or shoot of a plant.  It can consist of flowers and leaves or an abstract version. This example consists of buds, leaves, and a twig-like extension.   Cataloging Example for Depicted… Read more »

Description: Botanical, composite is used to describe any element that consists of flowers, leaves, stems, and buds, which can be a part of a single, connected element. This may be a large central floral scene or it may simply be a large fragment of a botanical element that includes many different botanical images.   Cataloging… Read more »

Description: House elements are highly variable and are characterized by many attributes, ranging from windows, doors and multiple peaked roofs with finials.  The image demonstrates one example of a house seen on both porcelains and earthenwares. Note: if you cannot determine if it is a house or a church or some other building, use “Structure,… Read more »

Description: Star Band 01 is defined as a thick solid band of color with stars or asterisks scattered across the band. Stylistic Genre: The genre for this stylistic element depends on a combination of decorative technique, color, and element. Cataloging Example for Depicted Sherd:   Stylistic Genre Polychrome, Warm Interior/Exterior Location Decorative Technique Color Stylistic Element Motif… Read more »

Description: Star Band 02 is composed of a single row of stars or asterisks that encircle a vessel, bracketed by two single bands. Stylistic Genre: The genre for this stylistic element depends on a combination of decorative technique, color, and element. Cataloging Example for Depicted Sherd:   Stylistic Genre Handpainted Blue Interior/Exterior Location Decorative Technique Color Stylistic… Read more »

Description: Structure, unid. should be used when a portion of a structure is present on the sherd, but the type of structure (such as house, church, pagoda) cannot be identified. Stylistic Genre: The genre for this stylistic element depends on a combination of decorative technique, color, and element. Cataloging Example for depicted sherd: Stylistic Genre Handpainted Blue… Read more »

Description: Wall elements are most often seen on Chinoiserie style Chinese porcelains. They were often painted around houses. This example depicts a masonry wall with either larger masonry pieces or windows along the top of the wall. Cataloging Example for depicted sherd: Stylistic Genre Handpainted Blue Interior/Exterior Location Decorative Technique Color Stylistic Element Motif Interior… Read more »

Description: This stylistic element should be used for describing images of ceramic vessels on ceramics, which should be identified by vessel style and decoration. As this example shows, this is a ceramic vessel holding a pineapple. This stylistic element is not only seen on polychrome painted pearlwares but also on wares such as Black Basalt…. Read more »