Lot 1025. A rare pale cream-glazed tortoise-form water dropper, Song-Yuan dynasty, 13th-14th century; 4 1⁄2 in. (11.5 cm.) long, cloth box. Estimate USD 8,000 – USD 12,000. Price realised USD 27,720. © Christie's 2022

The vessel is modeled in the form of a tortoise with its open mouth forming the spout. The shell is set with a rope-twist handle, and the vessel is covered in a pale beigish-cream glaze.

Provenance: The J. M. Hu (1911-1995), Zande Lou Collection.

Literature: Helen D. Ling and Edward T. Chow, Collection of Chinese Ceramics from the Pavilion of Ephemeral Attainment, vol. I, Hong Kong, 1950, no. 2.

The result of Shanghai Museum thermoluminescence test no. 034 is consistent with the dating of this lot.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, New York, 25 march 2022