Sancai Glazed Pottery Wine Flask with Dragon Décor, China, Liao Dynasty (907-1125). Photo courtesy Auctionata

Glazed pottery. Sancai glaze (amber, green and buff). Molded dragon medallion. Incised decoration. Fine craquelure. Dimensions: 33 x 17 cm. Good condition. Estimation : 3 200 € / 4 000 €

Provenance: Private collection

Rare piece in bright colors, following the form of earlier animal skin example

This Chinese ceramics wine bottle dates back to the Liao dynasty (907-1125). It shows a sancai glaze in bright amber, green and buff with a fine craquelure.
The bulbous body rises on an oval base.
The upper end of the vessel is created by the cylindrical spout and a curved ornament with a small hole. Both sides are decorated with incised decoration and a molded dragon in a medallion.

Sancai.  Sancai (translated: ‘three colors’) is a lead-glazing technique, usually consisting of three different colors, which developed in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Sancai wares typically show a green, auburn and amber glaze on a light background. On rare occasions cobalt blue was also used. Via the Silk Road, the technique was exported to Syria, Cyprus and finally Italy where it enjoyed great popularity during the 15th Century.

AUCTIONATA, BERLIN. Art d'Asie et Art Tribal. 23 Mai 2014 à 6:00 pm. Tel: +49 30 9832 0221 - E-mail: vorgebot@auctionata.com