A rare cover vessel with bird handles, China, Northern Dynasties (ca. 6th-7th cent.). Photo Auktionshaus Stahl

Ceramic with olive-green glaze. Bellied shape with flat domed cover. On both sides of the wall a sumptuous relief decoration of a lion's head and mythical birds. Side handles also in the shape of birds. Exceptionally well preserved. H. 20,5 cm, diam. 27,5. Estimation : 5 000 €

The result of QED Laboratoire, Aix-en-Provence, thermoluminescence test no. QED1208/FC-0301 is consistent with the dating of this lot.

Note: The tone of the glaze and the sumptuosly moulded decoration is typical for ceramics of the Northern Dynasties. Compare the present piece to an elaborate stoneware vase with moulded decoration and ornaments in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (late 6th cent.)
Concerning the ornamentation, this group of ceramics, to which the present piece also belongs, shows certain influences from Central Asia.
It is believed that these motifs came to Northern China via the Silk Route.
The overall shape and the plastical handles are clearly inspired by Zhou-period bronze vessels.

Litterature: Valenstein, Cultural Convergence in the Northern Qi Period, A Flamboyant Chinese Ceramic Container, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York 2006. Siehe auch: Sullivan, The Arts of China, University of California 2008, S. 127-129.

Provenance.: Rare Chinese Bronzes and Works of Art from an important private collection in France (Lot 700 - 721).
The following group of bronzes, ceramics and jade objects are part of an old noble collection in Southern France. The collection has been assembled since the 19th cent. By an art-minded entrepreneur and has been in the estate of the family by descent ever since. The family kept manifold private and commercial relations to China and was able to build up an exquisite and important collection. A selection of these marvelous objects is now being offered and is available to the global art market for the very first time. The objects demonstrate the fascination for Chinese and Asian Art and the collecting passion of an intellectual gentleman and connoisseur.

Auktionshaus Stahl.  Samedi 23 février 2013. Graumannsweg 54 - 22087 Hamburg. Tel. +49 (0) 40 34 34 71