Lot 065 A RARE WHITE-GLAZED ‘DRAGON AND PROGENY’ FUNERARY VASE SONG – YUAN DYNASTY (10TH – 14TH CENTURY) 宋至元 白釉堆塑龙纹魂瓶

Description

A RARE WHITE-GLAZED ‘DRAGON AND PROGENY’ FUNERARY VASE
SONG – YUAN DYNASTY (10TH – 14TH CENTURY)
宋至元 白釉堆塑龙纹魂瓶

ESTIMATE: $2,500 – $4,500

Description
This imposing funerary vessel, or hunping (soul vase), is a significant ritual object from the Song to Yuan dynasty. Standing at 43.5 cm in height, the vase features a slender, elongated ovoid body that transitions into a tall, multi-tiered neck. The central register of the neck is elaborately adorned with high-relief appliques, dominated by a spirited dragon coiling around the cylinder above a row of twelve standing figures. These figures, meticulously modeled, represent the twelve zodiac deities or attendants intended to serve the deceased in the afterlife.
The vessel is coated in a creamy white glaze with a subtle translucent quality, exhibiting a fine network of age-related crackle and characteristic iron spots. The glaze stops in an uneven line above the splayed foot, exposing the high-fired, buff-toned stoneware body. This style of vessel represents the spiritual and artistic traditions of southern Chinese kilns during the 10th to 14th centuries.
Dimensions
• Height: 43.5 cm (17.13 in)
CONDITION REPORT
The vase is in good stable condition, particularly given the fragility of its intricate relief work. There are minor chips and losses to the frilled rim and the extremities of the molded figures (including the dragon’s scales and the figures’ hands), which is expected for excavated ceramics of this age. Significant burial encrustations and minor surface abrasions are present throughout. No structural cracks or modern restorations are detected.
Provenance
• From a Private Canadian Collection
宋至元 白釉堆塑龙纹魂瓶
描述
此件魂瓶体量挺拔，是宋元时期极具代表性的墓葬礼仪用器。瓶高43.5厘米，器身呈修长的卵形，颈部高耸且分层装饰。颈部核心位置采用堆塑手法，上层盘绕一条身姿矫健的贴塑长龙，下层则围刻一周十二尊伫立的人物像。这些塑像形神各异，通常代表十二生肖神或随从，寓意守护亡灵并在冥界提供侍奉。
整器施白釉，釉质温润，呈象牙白色，见有细碎的自然开片及少量窑内形成的铁色斑点。釉水下垂不到底，足部露胎，可见坚致的土黄色胎质。此类魂瓶充分反映了10至14世纪南方地区陶瓷艺术与丧葬文化的结合。
技术规格
• 高度： 43.5 厘米
品相报告
考虑到堆塑工艺的复杂性，该瓶整体保存状况稳定。口沿花边及堆塑人物、龙身细节处见有自然的剥釉和微小崩残，属于出土明器之正常折损。器表可见明显的土沁与自然老化的痕迹。未见重大的结构性裂纹或后期人工修补。
来源
• 来自加拿大私人珍藏