A dark amber-glazed ovoid ewer, Liao dynasty, 10th century
Lot 1483. A dark amber-glazed ovoid ewer, Liao dynasty, 10th century; 6 5/8 in. (17 cm.) high. Estimate USD 4,000 - USD 6,000. Price realised USD 6,875. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013
The body is decorated with two bands of applied pendent leaf-like appliques above three small medallions, and has a reel-shaped neck, and a grooved strap handle set opposite the conical spout. The vessel is covered with a transparent glaze of deep amber color that falls irregularly onto the slightly spreading foot.
Exhibited: Oriental Ceramic Society, London, The Arts of the Sung Dynasty, 1960, pl. 46, no. 122.
Note: In the early Liao period, 10th century, a number of small ewers and jars were made with either amber or copper-green glazes covering distinctive incised and applied decoration. Leaf-like appliques similar to those on the present ewer can be seen on a green-glazed ewer of similar shape in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, illustrated by M. Medley, T'ang Pottery & Porcelain, London, 1981, p. 136, no. 134, as well as on two ewers of Liao date in the Falk Collection sold at Christie's New York, 21 September 2001, lots 29 and 30.
Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, New York, 19 - 20 September 2013