The jar is of globular shape and is decorated to the body with a geometric design band of lozenge-shaped motifs in blue, green, ochre and cream below a plain ochre everted mouth rim, all above an unglazed base.
The rainbow-like colors on this green-glazed surface come from changes that happen over hundreds of years while it's buried. This phenomenon arises from the silicates in the glaze or glassy material reacting with water to become hydrated, and the oxidation of metal ions within, altering the refractive index and creating a rainbow-like effect. Usually, it takes at least several decades to hundreds of years for these changes to be enough to notice.
Date : Tang Dynasty(618-907)Made in : Henan provinceSize : 24.0cm (Height), 13cm(Diameter)Condition : Good(Minor chips and traces of use on surface)Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from HongkongReference :1) Sotheby's Hongkong 3 December 2021 - Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection - Lot 835
(Price : 69,300 HKD / Type : Closely related)
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/chinese-art-online-a-private-asian-collection/a-blue-splashed-sancai-glazed-jar-and-cover-tang
2) Christies 10 NOV 2015 Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art - Lot225
(Price : 7,500 GBP / Type : Closely related)
https://www.christies.com/lot/a-rare-sancai-glazed-pottery-jar-tang-dynasty-5943069/?intObjectID=5943069&lid=1
* 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.
