This historical piece features a robust, rounded body with a broad shoulder tapering down to a narrower base. The glaze, characterized by its rich amber hue, covers most of the vessel, while the lower part remains unglazed, exposing the rough, textured clay beneath.
Date : Tang-Liao Dynasty(7-12th century)
Type : Amber-glazed pottery
Dimension : 12.5cm (Height), 4.5cm(Mouth Diameter)
Condition : Good(Chips and cracks on surface)
Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong
Reference :
1) Christies Newyork 1–15 DEC 2015 - Exquisite Splendor: Chinese Ceramics And Works Of Art - Lot 49
(Price realised : 5,250 USD / Type : Closely related)
https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/exquisite-splendor-chinese-ceramics-works-art/amber-glazed-pottery-ewer-49/22798
2) Christies Newyork 18–27 MAR 2015 - The Collection of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth Volume VII: Chinese Works of Art Online - Lot 8031
(Price realised : 4,375 USD / Type : Closely related)
https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/collection-robert-hatfield-ellsworth-volume-vii-chinese-works-art/amber-glazed-molded-conical-bowl-8031/14323
3) Sotheby's Hong Kong 01 June 2017 - Chinese Art - Lot425
(Price range : 60,000 – 80,000 HKD / Type : Closely related)
https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2017/chinese-art-hk0732/lot.425.html
4) Art Institute Chicago - Reference Number 1976.147 - Vase with Trumpet-Shaped Mouth
(Type : related)
* San-cai
Tang Sancai glazed pottery refers to a type of Chinese ceramic that became famous during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). "Sancai" translates to "three colors," which typically are brown, green, and cream or white. Occasionally, blue was also used. These colors were achieved through the use of metallic oxides in the glaze, which, when fired at high temperatures, produced vivid colors that have retained their brilliance over centuries.
The art of Sancai pottery is characterized by its decorative and functional purposes. It includes items such as figurines, vessels, and architectural elements. Tang Sancai ceramics were often used as burial items, intended to accompany the deceased in the afterlife. The pieces frequently featured images of people, animals, and mythical creatures, reflecting the Tang Dynasty's cosmopolitan culture and the religious and mythological beliefs of the time.
The distinct look of Sancai comes from the way the glazes melt and run together, creating a flowing effect that makes each piece unique. This pottery is a valuable part of China's cultural heritage and provides insight into the sophisticated ceramic technology of the Tang Dynasty.
