Lot 1456. A very rare green and amber-glazed pouring vessel, Tang dynasty (618-907); 6½ in. (16.5 cm.) high. Estimate USD 30,000 - USD 40,000. Price realised USD 35,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2011

The compressed globular body with a short waisted neck, the shoulder applied with a band of six florets interrupted by the short, angled cylindrical spout and double-strap handle that terminates in a dragon head biting the mouth rim, covered all over with a bright green glaze that continues over the edge of the low foot onto the flat base, the florets accented with splashes of amber that trail down the sides, cloth stand, Japanese wood box.

Provenance: Nitta Collection, in Japan by the 1990s. 

Note: Pouring vessels of this shape are very rare. More common are the ewers such as the one sold in these rooms, 20 March 2001, lot 139, with ovoid bodies and simple double-strap handles. However, there are smaller pouring vessels without handles, but with similar compressed globular bodies and short cylindrical spouts, such as the two examples sold in these rooms, also on 20 March 2001, lots 112 and 128.

The handle on the present vessel echoes the handles found on the popular amphoras, some of which also have applied floral decorations on their shoulder, such as the example sold in these rooms, 29 March 2006, lot 387. 

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Part I & II, 15 September 2011, New York