Naturalistically modelled, standing on a rectangular base with head facing forward and short tail curled to one side, incised details and covered overall in a rich chestnut glaze save for the hooves and base.
Date : Tang-Liao Dynasty(7-12TH CENTURY)
Type : chestnut-glazed pottery figure
Size : 15cm (Height), 20cm(Diameter)
Condition : Good(Minor cracks on both ears)
Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong
Reference :
1) MIA - Accession Number 50.46.176
(Assumed to had been made by the same kiln and potter / Type : Highly related)
https://collections.artsmia.org/art/17532/sacred-bull-china
2) Sotheby's London 12 May 2021 Chinese Art | 中國藝術品 - Lot 8
(Price : 7,560GBP / Type : Closely related)
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/important-chinese-art-3/a-chestnut-glazed-pottery-figure-of-a-boar-tang
3) Christies Hongkong 9 JUL 2020 - Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of ArtLot 2869
(Price : 187,500 HKD / Type : Closely related)
https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6268191
* Tang Dynasty 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.
