Lot 3103. A white-glazed human-shaped vessel, zun, Sui-early Tang dynasty, 6th-7th century; 13 5/8 in. (34.5 cm.) high. Estimate HK$400,000 – HK$600,000 ($51,735 - $77,602). Price realised HKD 500,000. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016.

The vessel is modelled in the form of a kneeling foreigner, with characteristic almond-shaped eyes, prominent nose, and high check bones. He is dressed in a long coat and a helmet-like hat, holding in his arms a leather sack with a flower-shaped mouth. It is covered overall with a finely crackled clear glaze with a pale greenish tinge, box

Provenance: A Hong Kong private collection, acquired in 1986.

Notes: Vessels of this type represent foreigners of various ethnic types, demonstrating the diversity and cosmopolitan nature of the population of Tang dynasty China. A closely related vessel in the shape of a foreigner with mustache and combed hair was found in the tomb of Duan Boyang, dated to the second year of Qianfeng (667), illustrated in the Zhongguo chutu ciqi quanji (Complete Collection of Ceramic Art Unearthed in China), Beijing, 2008, vol. 15: Shaanxi, p. 22.

Christie's. CLASSICAL CHINESE ART FROM THE SUI TO THE SONG DYNASTIES, 1 June 2016, Convention Hall