A very rare and fine ovoid jar with three moulded medallions and sancai glaze, China, Tang dynasty (618-906), 8th ct. Photo Nagel

the body is decorated with three crisply moulded, very large flower medallions in flat relief overlapping the double grooved band on the shoulder and covered with a splashed green, amber and cream sancai glaze, running irregularly down the lower body leaving exposed the pale buff clay. H. 31,4 cm - Estimate 50 000/70 000 €

Property from an important private colllection of Chinese art,, bought from Christie’s, New York, 26.3.2003, lot 197 with further references to similar jars in public collections in Japan, one registered as “Important art object”, and of the Chicago Art Institute, all dated to the Tang dynasty

Compare: Li Zhiyan, V.I.Bower and He Li (ed.), Chinese Ceramics. From the Paleolithic period through the Qing dynasty, Yale University and Foreign Language Press, New Haven & London 2010, fig. 5.61, p. 252, a sancai glazed amphora with a very similar, large, round medallion in relief, h.: 47,4 cm, in the Tokyo National Museum - Sotheby’s, London, 12.7.2006, lot 28, a jar with comparable large, round medallion motif in relief, H.: 22,8 cm, both dated to the Tang dynasty.

Unglazed stand chipped, very minor restorations, good condition - The result of the Oxford TL test no. 666x55 is consistent with the dating of the jar.

Nagel. "Asian Art". 2012/11/02 http://www.auction.de/