Lot 476. A rare green-glazed 'mythical beasts' lamp, Northern Qi Dynasty (550–577); 19.1cm (7 1/2in) high. Estimate £2,000 - £3,000. Sold for £ 22,750 (€ 26,484). © Bonhams

The cylindrical body rising from a spreading stepped base to an everted wide-flanged rim, the lower section of the body applied with three beasts seated above three cartouche apertures alternating with applied rosettes, the rim incised with leaf scrolls with a stepped border, covered overall with a thick green glaze.

Published, Illustrated and Exhibited: Roger Keverne Ltd., Winter Exhibition, London, 2008, no.31.

The result of Oxford Authentication Ltd. thermoluminescence test no.C106n48 dated 30 May 2006, is consistent with the dating of this lot.

Note: The closest comparison to this rare vessel is a lamp with green and brown glazes and sculptural felines in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, illustrated by S.G.Valenstein, A Handbook of Chinese Ceramics, New York, 1975, pp.54-55, no.48, and again by S.G.Valenstein, Cultural Convergence in the Northern Qi Period: A Flamboyant Chinese Ceramic Container, New York, 2007, p.116, fig.49.

Bonhams. Roger Keverne Ltd Moving On (Part II), London, New Bond Street, 7 Jun 2021