Green-Glazed Pottery Elephant, Han dynasty

This vessel is well-modeled as a recumbent winged lion with detailed decorative elements. It features a grimacing face with large protruberant eyes under heavy brows and a gaping mouth, which forms a large aperture. The piece has a tail that arches to form a loop handle, and the wings are incised on the sides. The whole piece is finished with a thin olive-green glaze. This kind of figural vessel dates back to at least the Western Han dynasty, with the design fully developed in the Yue kilns of Zhejiang province during the 3rd and 4th centuries. Such zoomorphic forms became popular among the literati and were transformed into various functional objects like wine ewers and water pots. There is a pair, and you can check it in the uploaded list. If you would like to purchase two in pairs, please leave a message. Period : Western Jin Dynasty (266 - 316 AD) Type : Figural vessel Medium : Yue celadon(Stoneware) Provenance : The piece was acquired in Hong Kong in late 1990s. Reference : 1) Sotheby's New York 17 March 2015 - Chinese Art Through The Eye Of Sakamoto Gorō – Ceramics Lot 33 (Price Range : 15,000 USD-20,000 USD / Type : Highly related) 2) Sotheby's London 17 May 2023 - A Journey Through China's History. The Dr Wou Kiuan Collection Online. Part I - Lot 30 (Price realised : 13,970 GBP / Type : Closely related) 3) Ethnological Museum, Berlin, Germany - Pouring vessel in animal shape, China, Yue kilns, Zhejiang province, late Western or early Eastern Jin dynasty, 4th century 4) Sotheby's London 16 May 2018 - Important Chinese Art Lot 68 (Price realised : 50,000 GBP / Type : Closely related) 5) The MET - Accession Number: 1985.207 - Vessel in the Shape of a Tiger (Huzi) (Type : Closely related) * Yue Celadon Yue celadon, also known as Yue ware, is a type of Chinese pottery with a celadon glaze, originating from the eastern Han dynasty in the Zhejiang province. The name 'Yue' comes from the Yue kilns which were among the earliest to develop the celadon technique. Yue ware is known for its jade-like glaze, which can range in color from bluish-green to olive green. Yue celadon was highly regarded during its time and was the first Chinese ware...

The dog faces forward, with clearly defined eyes that stand out. Its ears are slightly curled, giving the impression of a relaxed, natural stance. The collar around its neck, connect...

This Han Dynasty green-glazed Haitai sculpture, though worn over time, retains its dynamic form. Period : Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) Medium : Earthenware with Green glaze Provena...

The bulbous body is adorned with elegantly carved floral motifs, with intertwining vines and flowers forming a natural, flowing pattern. The base is left unglazed. Base surface crack...

Antique Burmese wooden elephant. Age: Burma, 19th Century Size: Height 40.3 C.M. / Width 14.5 C.M. / Length 36.5 C.M. Condition: Nice condition overall (some expected degradation du...

A Chinese elephant roof tile on lucite base, 19th Century. 19 ½ inches wide by 7 ½ inches deep by 15 inches tall

Beautiful green, blue and white ceramic elephant garden statue. This piece features an elephant shown with the trunk up. This piece would be beautiful in a garden, or on a bookshelf....

Japanese bronze of an elephant, mid-twentieth century, modelled with trunk aloft, a substantial, attractively modelled sculpture with pleasing colour and finish.