BLUE GLAZED EWER WITH A TIGER HANDLE
唐藍釉虎柄執壺

Tang dynasty 7-10th century AD

21.5cm high

Description: This ewer is rare from Tang dynasty, covered in a vibrant cobalt blue glaze. It has a flaring rim grabbed by a beast, most likely a tiger, looking curiously inside of the ewer and the other side of the handle is attached to the shoulder of a bulbous body. The spout on the opposite side of the handle is short and cylindrical with a decoration of animal motif. The thick blue glaze with fine cracks is resulted from application in multiple layers that drip to the bottom of the body. Some incised underglaze lines around the rim, neck and shoulder can be seen. Only the bottom of the body exposes some areas of raw white stoneware body with probably some white slips applied on the top. The use of cobalt blue glaze can be traced to the early Tang dynasty. It was imported from Western Asia, therefore highly valued.

Provenance: An American collection

Reference: For a similar jar of this type, see Lot 201 from Sotheby's London "Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art", 07 November 2012