Lot 062 A RARE AND MAGNIFICENT STRAW-GLAZED ‘DRAGON-HANDLE’ AMPHORA TANG DYNASTY (618–907) 唐代 巩县窑白釉（浆胎）双龙耳瓶

Description

A RARE AND MAGNIFICENT STRAW-GLAZED ‘DRAGON-HANDLE’ AMPHORA
TANG DYNASTY (618–907)
唐代 巩县窑白釉（浆胎）双龙耳瓶
ESTIMATE: $8,000 – $12,000
Description
This majestic amphora is a quintessential representative of Tang Dynasty ceramic art, exhibiting the profound influence of Central Asian and Hellenistic ‘amphora’ forms along the Silk Road. The vessel is expertly potted with a sweeping ovoid body that tapers gracefully toward a narrow, solid flared foot. The slender, ringed neck is surmounted by a cup-shaped mouth with a broad, rolled rim.
Connecting the shoulders to the rim are two magnificent, arched handles in the form of powerful dragons. Each dragon is depicted with its head plunging into the mouth of the vessel to drink, featuring meticulously applied manes, curled horns, and expressive eyes. The shoulder is further embellished with small, applied floral rosettes (medallions), adding a layer of tactile sophistication. The vessel is coated in a classic straw-colored glaze (also known as a ‘white’ glaze in Tang nomenclature), which exhibits a fine, uniform crackle (crazing) and stops short of the foot to reveal the dense, buff-colored stoneware body. Such vessels were highly prized as elite funerary furniture (mingqi) for the Tang aristocracy.
Dimensions
• Height: 41.5 cm (16.3 in)
CONDITION REPORT
The amphora is in overall very good and stable condition, particularly remarkable for its size. The straw-colored glaze remains largely intact with a beautiful aged luster and characteristic micro-crackling throughout. There are expected areas of localized glaze thinning and minor mineral encrustations consistent with long-term burial. One dragon handle shows evidence of a clean, professional restoration at the neck/attachment point, which is common for this delicate form. The unglazed foot shows typical firing grit and minor chips consistent with its age.
Provenance
• From a Private Canadian Collection
唐代 巩县窑白釉（浆胎）双龙耳瓶
描述
此件双龙耳瓶形制宏大，是盛唐时期陶瓷艺术的巅峰之作。其器形深受丝绸之路西域及希腊文化中“双耳细颈瓶”的影响，展现了唐代海纳百川的审美气度。瓶身呈优美的椭圆形，向底部渐收，承接实心外撇圈足；细长颈部带有弦纹，顶端为杯式口，唇沿厚实。
最为瞩目之处在于其连接肩部与口沿的双龙形柄：两条矫健的神龙作俯冲状，龙首深入瓶口衔住唇沿，仿佛在低头饮水。龙身线条挺拔，鬃毛、龙角等细节刻画生动。肩部点缀贴花小圆花饰，增加了器物的层次感。通体施唐代典型的浆胎白釉（亦称碎纹白釉），釉质莹润，开片细密均匀。釉层施至下腹部而止，露出坚致的粉白色胎质。此类器物在唐代是皇室及高级贵族墓葬中极其珍贵的礼器。
技术规格
• 高度： 约 41.5 厘米
品相报告
整器品相良好，结构稳固，对于此种大规格器物而言十分难得。釉面保存完好，包浆自然，见有与年代相符的细微受沁及局部矿物质沉积。由于双龙耳部位极其脆弱，其中一只龙柄见有细致的专业修复痕迹，这在同类传世唐代陶器中属于正常现象。圈足露胎处见有自然的窑渣及轻微剥落，均符合时代特征。
来源
• 来自加拿大私人珍藏