Green-glazed Pottery Amphora with Brown glazed Phoenix, Tang-Liao Dynasty

The vessel has an overall oval shape, characterized by smooth curves that transition naturally from the rim to the body. The upper part of the jar narrows slightly, with four handles arranged around the rim. The glaze exhibits a pale green hue throughout, with the surface showing clear signs of oxidation, characteristic of excavated artifacts. The depiction of the phoenix, with its wings spread wide, seems to radiate dynamic energy. A identical form, size, and phoenix motif can be observed in Lot 1 of Arnaud's Gallery July 22, 2023 auction – Fine Chinese Arts and Scholar Collections from E & J Frankel, where the phoenix was incised into the piece.

Date : Tang-Liao Dynasty(7-12TH CENTURY)
Type : Green-glazed pottery
Size : 36cm (Height), 5.5cm(Mouth Diameter)
Condition : Good(spoon-shaped chip near the base)
Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong
Reference : 
1) Arnaud's Gallery July 22, 2023 auction – Fine Chinese Arts and Scholar Collections from E & J Frankel - Lot 1 - Green-glazed Pottery Amphora, incised Phoenix, Liao Dynasty
(Type : Closely related)
https://arnaudsgallery.com/item/arnauds-2023-summer-auction-fine-chinese-arts-and-scholar-collections-from-e-j-frankel/green-glazed-pottery-amphora-incised-phoenix-liao-dynasty/

2) Christies Newyork 18 NOV – 9 DEC 2020 - Art of China | Including Property from the Irving Collection - Lot 90 - A GREEN-GLAZED ‘PHOENIX HEAD’ EWER
(Price realised : 16,250 USD / Type : related)
https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/art-china-including-property-irving-collection/green-glazed-phoenix-head-ewer-90/108180

* Liao Dynasty Pottery

The Liao Dynasty are notable for their practicality and distinct forms, influenced by the nomadic lifestyle of the Khitan people. Many vessels, such as oval or globular-shaped jars and bottles, were designed for portability and often used to store liquids like wine or water. Additionally, the Liao potters produced innovative forms such as quatrefoil-shaped bottles, saddle-shaped bowls, and flasks with handles, reflecting both their nomadic culture and non-Chinese influences. These unusual forms are a hallmark of Liao ceramics, showcasing both functionality and aesthetic creativity.

In terms of glazing, Liao ceramics are characterized by earthy tones, with green, amber, and brown being the most common colors. The green glaze, similar to celadon but often more rustic, was frequently used on stoneware. Amber and brown glazes, achieved through iron-rich techniques, gave the ceramics a warm, natural appearance. Like their Tang predecessors, Liao potters also produced sancai (three-colored) wares, often combining green, amber, and cream-colored glazes on a single piece, particularly for burial objects. Decoration on Liao ceramics was often bold and simplified, using incised or impressed patterns, with motifs including floral designs, geometric patterns, and mythical creatures like phoenixes and dragons. These decorations were rendered in a stylized, often less refined manner, which set them apart from the more polished ceramics of the Song Dynasty.