Lidded Ewer, Lý Dynasty, 1009 – 1225 A.D., Thanh Hóa, Vietnam. Height: 13cm © Zetterquist Galleries

A tall bell-shaped ewer with a beast-head spout and parrot handle. The flat top of the high shoulders are decorated with concentric bands of deeply carved lotus petals surrounding the flared neck and mouth-rim. The lid, shaped like a mushroom cap, has a band of carved lotus petals surrounding its lotus-bud finial. The entire piece is covered with a finely crackled translucent glaze that has been stained in burial to a pinkish ivory color.
The flattened foot is unglazed.

This form is easily traced to bronze forms, perhaps even a bell-form, inspired by Khmer bronzes, and is remarkable for having its original lid.

Zetterquist Galleries (New York, NY), Chinese and Vietnamese Ceramics with Highlights from the Brow Collection, 10-18 march 2017 at 3 East 66th Street, #1B, New York 10065. T (212) 751 0650 - inquiries@zetterquist.com - zetterquist.com