Covered Cosmetic Box, Qingbai  ware, Song dynasty, 11th-early 12th century. Porcelain with incised décor under a pale blue glaze with iron brown details, 1 7/8 x 5 5/16 in. (4.8 x 13.49 cm). Gift of Ruth and Bruce Dayton 2000.83.5a,b © 2015 All Rights Reserved. Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Ceramic cosmetic boxes were popular during Song (960-1279), and numerous examples have survived in Qingbai as well as a variety of celadon glazes. This one is decorated on its lid with an incised lotus blossom. The interior reveals three small containers in the form of open flowers linked by appliqué tendrils. There is a faint hint of iron brown accenting each of the containers. While the plasticity of Jingde Zhen porcelain allowed Qingbai potters to create rather complex forms, their ceramics were always utilitarian in purpose, as is the case with this container for powdered cosmetics.