A small Xingyao box and cover, Tang dynasty (618-907). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2014.

The box is formed with a short tapered foot, rising to an angular body with steep sides. The shallow domed cover is surmounted with a knop finial. The box is covered with an opaque white glaze, with some areas of greenish tinge to the cover. 3 in. (7.6 cm.) diam. Estimate £6,000 – £8,000 ($10,128 - $13,504)

Provenance: Dr. Carl Kempe Collection, no. 343
Sotheby's, London, 4 November 2008, lot 480
Ulricehamn East Asian Museum, Sweden
With Shibui Art, New York

Literature: Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society, Vol. 29, 1954-1955, 'The Art of the T'ang Dynasty', 1955, cat. no. 204
Chinese Ceramics in the Carl Kempe Collection, Bo Gyllensvard, Stockholm, 1964, p. 114, no. 343

Exhibited: Mostra D'Arte Cinese, Palazzo Ducale, Venice, 1954, cat. no. 381
The Art of the T'ang Dynasty, The Oriental Ceramic Society, London, 1955, no. 204

Christie's. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 13 May 2014, London, King Street - http://www.christies.com/