Rare Chinese Yellow-Glazed Dragon & Phoenix Pilgrim's Flask
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A very rare Chinese yellow-glazed pottery 'Dragon and Phoenix' 'Pilgrim'S' flask, Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577). Pilgrims flasks like the present example are known as bianhu which translates to a 'Flattened jar'. Travelers preferred these types of vessels as drinking containers for longer journeys because of the lug handles. The shape of this vessel shows strong influence from West and central Asia. A design of a phoenix on these flasks is a typical motif of the 5th and 6th centuries, but designs of dragons are exceptionally rare. The combination of dragon and phoenix design in this period represents strength, fortune, and perseverance rather than the Emporer and Empress in the later periods (Song-Qing period). The presence of large bunches of grapes and sinuous vines is an additional highlight to this flask. They show 'much of the Hellenistic tradition which was present, especially in Khotan, Miran and Loulan, the cities of the southern silk Road through central Asia'. (Watson,1984). Flasks decorated with a dragon are extremely rare while phoenix decoration is more common. A flask with almost identical decoration has been discussed in Mr. Wu's essay, which is currently in a private collection in Toronto, sold at Sotheby's London, 18/06/1985, lot 29. For similar flasks with both sides decorated with a dancing phoenix flanked by grape vines, see Sotheby's Hong Kong, 29/11/2019, lot 394; and Sotheby's London, 10/6/1986, lot 112. Also see, the metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (26.292.44), illustrated at R. D. Mowry, hare's fur, tortoiseshell, and partridge feathers: Chinese brown and black glazed ceramics, 400-1,400, p. 83. In addition, see, the Meiyintang collection, Px. Furthermore, see the British Museum (1936.1012. 253), formally in the collection of George Eumorfopoulos. For similar flasks decorated with central Asian dancers amidst grape vines, see metropolitan Museum (A2001.629) and the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Lucy Maud Buckingham collection, (1924.270). Also, compare to a smaller flask with dancing monkey decoration covered with a green glaze, and dated to the Tang dynasty, see Christie's New York, 14/09/2018, lot 1278. Provenance: The Estate of the late Walter Hochstadter and Alice Chu, acquired by Walter Hochstadter prior to 1997 hence by descent. Walter Hochstadter was a well known and distinguished dealer of Chinese Art, born in Krumbach (Germany) in 1914. In the late 1930's he emigrated to the United States and died in Melbourne, Australia in 2007. He was a member of the Oriental ceramic Society (USA) from 1953-1982. A large number of the Hochstadter Collection was sold at Christies New York, 18th/19th March 2009, with a piece lot 518 reaching 2 million US dollars, 23.3 cm high
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- Hellenistic - The Hellenistic period is a period in ancient Greek history
that began after the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE and lasted until
the Roman conquest of Greece in 146 BCE. It is named after the Greek word
"Hellenistic," which means "to imitate Greeks."
During the Hellenistic period, the Greek world expanded
beyond the boundaries of Greece and encompassed the territories conquered by
Alexander the Great, including Egypt, Persia, and parts of India. The period
was marked by a fusion of Greek culture with the cultures of these conquered
territories, resulting in a diverse and cosmopolitan society.
The art and architecture of the Hellenistic period were
marked by a new sense of realism and individuality. Artists and architects
experimented with new techniques and styles, and the incorporation of new
materials such as bronze and glass. A number of the best-known works of Greek sculpture belong to this period, including Laocoon and his Sons, Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. - Ming Dynasty - The Ming Dynasty was a ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644. It succeeded the Yuan Dynasty and preceded the Qing Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty was established by Zhu Yuanzhang, a former Buddhist monk who became a rebel leader and eventually overthrew the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. During the Ming Dynasty, China experienced a period of relative stability and prosperity. The government was centralized and bureaucratic, with the emperor at the top of the hierarchy. The Ming Dynasty is known for its cultural achievements, including the development of porcelain, the invention of movable type printing, and the construction of the Great Wall of China.
- Tortoiseshell - Tortoiseshell is a translucent material that comes from the horny carapace of a certain types of turtles, including the hawksbill turtle. It is often therefore mounted on a colour underground - often red - or inlaid with gold or silver thread, as seen in Boulle furniture.
The texture and colour nuances of the material are extremely important. Heated tortoiseshell can easily be formed into various shapes. Like other natural materials, tortoiseshell becomes more beautiful with use. In a time before plastic, tortoiseshell was widely used for small objects such as combs and powder compacts.
In 1973, the trade of tortoiseshell worldwide was banned under CITES (The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). Prior to importing or exporting items containing tortoiseshell a CITES permit must be obtained. Tortoiseshell items cannot be traded on Ebay.
"Faux tortoiseshell", another case of man initiating nature, is made from old-style plastics such as celluloid and cellulos and is coloured with red, yellow and brown spots to imitate the genuine article. It is commonly used in glasses frames, musical instruments and costume jewellery.
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