Lot 2101. A rare small Qingbai phoenix-head ewer, Southern Song-Yuan dynasty, 13th-14th century; 4 5/8 in. (11.7 cm.) high. Estimate USD 3,000 - USD 5,000. Price Realized USD 8,750. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014. 

The body is carved with eight vertical lobes that rise to a short ribbed neck surmounted by a phoenix head with incised eyes and feathers. Attached to the body is a strap handle and a short curved spout. The ewer is covered overall in a glaze of pale blue tone, wood box.

Provenance: Mayuyama Ryusendo, Tokyo, Japan.

Note: Compare the very similar phoenix-head ewer in the Carl Kempe Collection, illustrated by Bo Gyllensvärd in Oriental Ceramics, The World's Great Collections, vol. 8, Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities Stockholm, Tokyo, 1982, no. 167.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, New York, 20 - 21 March 2014