Ewer with dragon handle and dragon spout

Vessel has ovoid body, short neck, everted rim and low, shaped foot. Vessel also has a distinctive handle and spout, both in the form of dragon heads. The handle is thick and curves up from the shoulder, above the body, and then turns downward with the dragon head biting into the rim. The spout is opposite the handle and the dragon-head form rises from the shoulder with the mouth open. Vessel has black glaze with bluish-white splashes throughout most of the surface; the piece is burned reddish brown in some unglazed areas.

Historical period(s)
Tang dynasty, 8th-9th century
Medium
Stoneware with iron glaze and wood-ash splashes
Style
Lushan ware (Duandian kiln)
Dimensions
H x W x D: 28 x 27.3 x 19.1 cm (11 x 10 3/4 x 7 1/2 in)
Geography
China, Henan province, Jiaxiam, Duandian kiln
Credit Line
Gift of The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Collection
Accession Number
S2006.6
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Ewer

Keywords
China, dragon, Huangdao ware, phoenix, stoneware, Tang dynasty (618 - 907)
Provenance

?-1972
J.T. Tai & Co., Chinese Fine Arts, New York, New NY [1]

1972-?
Columbia University in the City of New York, NY, purchased from J.T. Tai & Co., Chinese Fine Arts, New York, NY [2]

?
Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987), New York, NY [3]

?-2006
Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, New York, NY

From 2006
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, New York, NY

Notes:

[1] Invoice from January 31, 1972, copy in object file, Collections Management Office.

[2] See note 1. See also agreement between the Columbia University and the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, copy in object file, Collections Management Office.

[3] This object was in Dr. Arthur M. Sackler’s possession prior to his death. As the object was on loan to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery from him in 1986. See the Loan Agreement, copy in object file, Collections Management Office.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Columbia University in the City of New York
Dr. Arthur M. Sackler 1913-1987
J.T. Tai & Co. established in 1950
Arthur M. Sackler Foundation founded 1965

Description

Vessel has ovoid body, short neck, everted rim and low, shaped foot. Vessel also has a distinctive handle and spout, both in the form of dragon heads. The handle is thick and curves up from the shoulder, above the body, and then turns downward with the dragon head biting into the rim. The spout is opposite the handle and the dragon-head form rises from the shoulder with the mouth open. Vessel has black glaze with bluish-white splashes throughout most of the surface; the piece is burned reddish brown in some unglazed areas.

Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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