Tang dynasty (618-907), stoneware with raised decoration and pale buff glaze with very fine crackle, elegant baluster form body supporting a trumpet neck with a cupped mouth, a pair of arched handles flanking the neck and meeting at the rim in sculpted dragon-head terminals, the lengths of the handles studded with carved bosses.


15 3/4 in.

From the collection of Thomas English Cody (1889-1948), the great nephew of Buffalo Bill Cody, and by family descent.

This vessel illustrates the importance of China as being a central hub to the extensive trade market that stretched from the Mediterranean all the way to Japan during the sixth through eighth century. The ovoid shape suggests the “amphora” of Greece and Rome, while the animal-shaped handles allude to Persian and Central Asian metalwork. The dragon style handles are a Chinese addition and buff and straw glazes primarily used set this iconic vessel apart as distinctly from the Tang dynasty.

Ink number to upper area of body; underside with some old label residue; small loss to foot.

$1,500 - 3,000