Lot 7. A large celadon amphora with applied decoration, Tang dynasty (618-907), 19 1/2 in., 49.5 cm. Estimate 20,000 — 30,000 USD. Lot sold 18,000 USD. © Sotheby's.

the tall ovoid body set with a waisted neck collared by concentric rings, rising to a cupped mouth and flanked by a pair of dragon handles spring up from the shoulder and biting the rim of the vessel, further embellished with Central Asian arabesque and figural appliqués on the shoulder and neck, the upper portion covered in a pale celadon-green glaze.

Note: This amphora is most unusual for its applied decoration around the neck. See a straw-glazed amphora of similar large size but lacking the applied decoration on the body, sold in these rooms, 15th June 1983, lot 152; and another glazed amphora of related form from the Edward T. Chow collection sold in our London rooms, 16th December 1980, lot 220.