Lot 851. A cream glazed storage jar with brown inlay bird decoration, Lý–Trần dynasty, 12th-14th century; 12 1/4in (31cm) high. Estimate US$ 3,000 - 5,000 (€2,500 - 4,200). Sold for US$ 2,500 (€2,110). Photo: Bonhams.

Of cylindrical form carved with a collar of lotus petals above four applied strap lugs, the walls coated with glaze and then portions scraped away to form a wide panel of long tailed birds set between leaf scrolls and horizontal string bands colored with iron wash before firing, the mouth rim and the flat base left without glaze. 

Published: James H. Brow and Anh Hoang Brow, 'Vietnamese Ceramics: A Ten Thousand Year Continuum,' Arts of Asia, March-April 2004, p. 82, no. 6.

Note: For a description of the inlay technique used to decorate this group of jars and another storage jar with similar decoration, see John Stevenson and John Guy,Vietnamese Ceramics: A Separate Tradition, 1997, pp. 115-117; and p. 208, no. 66.

Bonhams. FINE ASIAN WORKS OF ART, 18 Dec 2017, 11:00 PST, SAN FRANCISCO