Well potted with shallow sides rising from a short foot, the interior molded with a single chrysanthemum surrounded by peony blossoms picked out in yellow and with green leaves against a creamy ivory ground, the exterior glazed in green stopping well above the foot. Nice condition. "Iridescence" is observed in surface.
Date : Liao Dynasty(916-1125)
Type : Sancai-Glazed Dish
Size : 4cm (Height), 17cm(Diameter)
Condition : Excellent
Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong
Reference :
1) Sotheby's Hong Kong 25 November 2022 - CHINA / 5000 YEARS - Lot 435
(Price range : 30,000HKD-50,000HKD / Type : Highly related)
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2022/china-5000-years-10/a-moulded-sancai-floral-dish-liao-dynasty-liao-san?locale=en
2) Tokyo National Museum - Collection Reference : TG-2440
3) Christies London 30 NOV – 7 DEC 2017 - The Art of China: Online Winter Sale - Lot65 (USD 6,875, Type: Closely related)
https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/art-china-online-winter-sale/sancai-glazed-pottery-dish-65/50726?lid=4&sc_lang=zh-cn
4) China Guardian 2017 Spring Auctions - Ancient Chinese Ceramics from the Tang to the Song Dynasty - Lot 704
(HKD: 53,100, Type: Closely related)
https://www.cguardian.com.hk/en/auction/auction-details.php?id=132032
* San-cai
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.
