Lot 1101. A rare large painted pottery vase and cover, fanghu, Han dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), 23 7/8 in. (60.5 cm.) high. Estimate USD 7,000 - USD 9,000. Price realised USD 22,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

The faceted pear-shaped body and tall tapering foot are decorated in red, white and blue pigments with sweeping cloud motifs interrupted by a pair of large taotie-mask handles highlighted in yellow on two sides. The neck is painted with a narrow band of cloud motifs below a band of pendent blades, and the cover is of pyramidal form, Japanese wood box.

Provenance: In Japan prior to 1994.

Literature: Tokyo National Museum, Special Exhibition: Chinese Ceramics, Tokyo, 1994, p. 26, no. 30.

Exhibited: Tokyo, Tokyo National Museum, Special Exhibition: Chinese Ceramics, 12 October–23 November 1994, no. 30.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 14 - 15 September 2017, New York