Lot 2985. A carved white-glazed ‘Phoenix-head’ ewer, Northern Song dynasty (960-1279); 7 3/4 in. (19.8 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 280,000 - HKD 350,000. Price realised HKD 350,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

The ewer is potted with a globular body which rises to a tapering ribbed neck surmounted by a phoenix head. It is covered in a greenish-white glaze and has a strap handle opposite the short, curved spout; box.

Provenance: Property of the Yangdetang Collection.

Note: The earliest ceramic ‘phoenix-head’ ewers can be dated to the Tang dynasty. Many of them were exported to Southeast Asia, such as Philippines and the islands of modern Indonesia. Sherds of a ware similar to this type of ewer have been found at the Xicun kiln site, Guangzhou. Compare with another example in the Palace Museum, Beijing (see xin 188290), sharing an almost identical form to the current ewer.

Bluish white glazed phoenix-head ewer, Song dynasty found at the Xicun kiln site, Guangzhou. Collection of Palace Museum, Beijing.