Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21

A Rare Sancai-Glazed Pottery Jar, Tang Dynasty

About the Item

The jar is of globular shape and is decorated to the body with a geometric design band of lozenge-shaped motifs in blue, green, ochre and cream below a plain ochre everted mouth rim, all above an unglazed base. The rainbow-like colors on this green-glazed surface come from changes that happen over hundreds of years while it's buried. This phenomenon arises from the silicates in the glaze or glassy material reacting with water to become hydrated, and the oxidation of metal ions within, altering the refractive index and creating a rainbow-like effect. Usually, it takes at least several decades to hundreds of years for these changes to be enough to notice. Date : Tang Dynasty(618-907) Made in : Henan province Provenance : Acquired in 1999, Hongkong Reference : 1) Sotheby's Hongkong 3 December 2021 - Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection - Lot 835 (Price : 69,300 HKD / Type : Closely related) 2) Christies 10 NOV 2015 Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art - Lot225 (Price : 7,500 GBP / Type : Closely related) * Tang Dynasty San-cai Tang Sancai glazed pottery refers to a type of Chinese ceramic that became famous during the Tang Dynasty (618~907 AD). "Sancai" translates to "three colors," which typically are brown, green, and cream or white. Occasionally, blue was also used. These colors were achieved through the use of metallic oxides in the glaze, which, when fired at high temperatures, produced vivid colors that have retained their brilliance over centuries. The art of Sancai pottery is characterized by its decorative and functional purposes. It includes items such as figurines, vessels, and architectural elements. Tang Sancai ceramics were often used as burial items, intended to accompany the deceased in the afterlife. The pieces frequently featured images of people, animals, and mythical creatures, reflecting the Tang Dynasty's cosmopolitan culture and the religious and mythological beliefs of the time. The distinct look of Sancai comes from the way the glazes melt and run together, creating a flowing effect that makes each piece unique. This pottery is a valuable part of China's cultural heritage and provides insight into the sophisticated ceramic technology of the Tang Dynasty.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 9.45 in (24 cm)Diameter: 5.12 in (13 cm)
  • Style:
    Tang (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    618-907
  • Condition:
    Minor fading.
  • Seller Location:
    seoul, KR
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU9577238138212

More From This Seller

View All
Sancai-Glazed Pottery Tripod Jar, Tang Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
The globular body is supported on three claw feet and is covered in a splashed-glaze of amber, green and cream color, which stops short of the unglazed base. Date : Tang Dynasty(61...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Hong Kong Tang Antiquities

Materials

Earthenware

A Sancai-glazed pottery 'Haitai' Pillow, Tang dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
The pillow is intricately decorated with a vibrant pattern, demonstrating the craftsmanship and artistic sensibilities of the period. The Haitai is a creature from Chinese mythology,...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Hong Kong Tang Antiquities

Materials

Earthenware, Pottery

A Large and Rare Straw-Glazed Pottery Amphora, Tang Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
The ovoid shape suggests the influence from “amphora” of Greece and Rome, while the dragon-shaped handles allude to Persian and Central Asian metalwork. The ubiquitous dragon is a Ea...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Hong Kong Tang Antiquities

Materials

Pottery, Stoneware

Green-glazed Pottery Amphora with Brown glazed Phoenix, Tang-Liao Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
The vessel has an overall oval shape, characterized by smooth curves that transition naturally from the rim to the body. The upper part of the jar narrows slightly, with four handles...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Hong Kong Tang Antiquities

Materials

Pottery

Amber-Glazed Pottery Ewer, Tang-Liao Dynasty (7-12th Century)
Located in seoul, KR
This historical piece features a robust, rounded body with a broad shoulder tapering down to a narrower base. The glaze, characterized by its rich amber hue, covers most of the vessel, while the lower part remains unglazed, exposing the rough, textured clay beneath. Date : Tang-Liao Dynasty(7-12th century) Type : Amber-glazed pottery Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong Reference : 1) Christies Newyork 1–15 DEC 2015 - Exquisite Splendor: Chinese Ceramics And Works Of Art - Lot 49 (Price realised : 5,250 USD / Type : Closely related) 2) Christies Newyork 18–27 MAR 2015 - The Collection of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Hong Kong Tang Antiquities

Materials

Pottery

A Large Straw Glazed Pottery Figure of a Solider, Sui to Tang Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
This well-modeled ceramic figure depicts a Scythian warrior in full armor, likely serving as a standard bearer. The warrior stands upright on a thin rectangular base, with clenched f...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Hong Kong Tang Antiquities

Materials

Straw

You May Also Like

Chinese Tang Dynasty Sancai Glazed Horse and Rider, TL Tested, China
Located in Austin, TX
A fine and unusual Chinese Tang Sancai glazed model of a horse and rider, Tang Dynasty (618 to 906 CE), early 8th century, China. This fantastic sculpture portrays a male figures se...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Antiquities

Materials

Earthenware, Pottery

Tang Dynasty Court Official in Sancai Glazed Robes, China '618-907' - TL Tested
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
A Tang dynasty sancai (three color) glazed pottery model of a Taoist official, TL tested by Ralf Kotalla - worldwide oldest private laboratory specialized for genuine thermoluminesce...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Antiquities

Materials

Terracotta

Tang Dynasty Sancai Glazed Pottery Horse TL Tested
By Tang Dynasty
Located in Dallas, TX
Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) Sancai glazed pottery horse TL Tested The cream-glazed horse is naturalistically modelled standing on a rectangular base, with the mane, tail and hooves highlighted in amber glaze. The head is gracefully curved to the left, with a green and amber glazed saddle and blanket and foliate-shaped plaques detailed with moulded toads suspending from the trappings. Measures: Height: 14.24 Inches (36.2 cm) Width: 15.5 Inches (39.35 cm) Depth: 6 Inches (15.2 cm) Provenance: An English private collection, acquired in Hong Kong in the 1980s A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this item along with a lucite base. Condition; Excellent with one repair to right side saddle blanket. Some remaining frustrations throughout with areas of oxidation and a fine craquelure throughout. A formidable piece that presents beautifully. Notes: The present sancai horse...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Animal Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

Chinese Tang Dynasty Pottery Court Lady
Located in Austin, TX
Painted pottery figure of an opulent Chinese court woman with up-swept hair and standing in a simply draped robe from the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). Her beauty is illuminated by the ...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Antiquities

Materials

Pottery, Acrylic

Pair of Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Soldiers
Located in Austin, TX
A well modelled pair of Tang dynasty painted pottery soldiers. The warriors portrayed standing, dressed in form fitting, elaborate layered Armor with fitted helmets. The breastplate...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

Fine Tang Dynasty Pottery Horse, Oxford TL Tested
Located in Greenwich, CT
Tang dynasty pottery statue of standing horse with removable saddle, Tang dynasty 618-907, come with Oxford authentication TL test certificate. Oxford test num...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Terracotta

Recently Viewed

View All