A very rare sancai-glazed molded globular whistle, Liao dynasty (907-1125) © Christie's Image 2003

Molded with two registers of peony sprays below two insects in flight beside one of the two small apertures on top, all in amber, green and straw glaze on a white slip, the base unglazed showing the buff ware - 3¼in. (8.2cm.) across - Lot 221. Estimate $4,000 - $6,000. Price Realized $3,107 

Property from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. James E. Breece III

Notes: A similar example of more compressed form is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - Porcelain of the Song Dynasty (I), vol. 32, Hong Kong, 1996, p. 277, no. 252, where it is proposed that these objects were used as whistles to attract animals during hunting expeditions. 

CHRISTIE'S. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 18 September 2003, New York, Rockefeller Plaza