Chinese Tang Sancai Pottery Earth Spirit, ex-Christie's

About Auction

Live

Fine Antiquities | Asian | Ethnographic Art

By Artemis Gallery

Apr 8, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-04-08 10:00:00 2021-04-08 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities | Asian | Ethnographic Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-art-6770
Features classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fine Art, so much more! All legally acquired, legal to sell. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

View Full Catalog (327)

• Lot Description
  East Asia, China, Tang Dynasty, ca. 618 to 906 CE. A magnificent guardian figure called a zhenmushou (grave-quelling beast) or earth spirit presenting a characteristic fantastical hybrid, creature-like form comprised of elements of several different animals and retaining rich gold and green sancai glaze that drizzles down the surface. The beast faces forward with a ferocious appearance of bulging eyes, a furrowed brow, a round snout with a broad nose, and a large mouth, held open to expose sharp fangs. The fascinating animal's head presents two curved horns emerging from the top just above a petite pair of ears and a white mane, as it sits on its hind haunches with sizable wings rising from the shoulders. Earth spirits like this example were traditionally believed to hold apotropaic powers and were used to ward off evil beings or spirits. Size: 6.625" W x 13.25" H (16.8 cm x 33.7 cm)
  
  "Sancai" means "three colors" and is a type of decoration in Chinese pottery using intermingled colors for decoration; it is a signature of the Tang Dynasty. A piece like this would have been made by using white clay and firing it, then applying glaze tinted with copper for green and iron for amber/brownish yellow hues. Three major kilns in northern China were responsible for making these pieces, which were designed to go into the tombs of Tang aristocracy.
  
  The Tang Dynasty was a golden age in China, when its control of oases along the Silk Road allowed both the export of Chinese goods and the import of people and ideas from places like India, Persia, and even further afield. The capital city, Changan (modern day Xian) had 2 million inhabitants, making it one of the largest cities in the world at the time, and there was a large class of literati and artisans supported by the government who lived there. This artisan class had the luxury to produce these beautiful figures, such as this example.
  
  Provenance: ex-Christie's ("The Art of China: Winter Edition", lot 23), acquired December 5, 2019; ex-The Robert B. and Beatrice C. Mayer Family Collection, Chicago, Illinois, USA; ex-Nagatani Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA, acquired in 1958
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
  We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
  
  #163097

  Condition

  Repair to antlers and wings with restoration over break lines. Expected surface wear with light nicks and abrasions commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with impressive remaining pigments.
• Shipping Info

  • All shipping is handled in-house for your convenience. Your invoice from Artemis Gallery will include shipping calculation instructions. If in doubt, please inquire BEFORE bidding for estimated shipping costs for individual items.

• Buyer's Premium
  • 26.50 %