Tang Dynasty Tri‑Color Green Glaze Moulded Cicada Pattern Fish‑Shaped Strap Flask,7‑10th Century CE

拍品描述

Dimensions:Max Belly Width 18.5cm(7.28in),Overall Height 29.5cm(11.61in),7‑10th Century CECondition & Provenance:The flask is fully intact with no cracks,hidden chips or restored glaze.Tiny pinholes scattered on glaze are natural firing marks.The blended green and amber tri‑color glaze remains intact all over the body.The raised moulded cicada motifs retain sharp,three‑dimensional details,and the side lugs are fully preserved without damage.Only minor burial patina and light wear exist on the unglazed rim of the flared tall foot.The three base feet feature dry solid clay with no heavy glaze flaking or chipping.This Tang tri‑color flask was previously owned by a veteran ancient porcelain collector based in Hong Kong,who purchased this artifact from an antique gallery in Toronto back in 2021.Large intact fish‑form tri‑color strap flasks decorated with cicada appliqués are extremely scarce across global antique markets.Description:This flask was crafted at the Gongxian kilns during China’s Tang Dynasty.It served as portable storage for wine and water for ancient merchants traveling the trade routes,and also functioned as burial funerary ware.The vessel is molded into a plump fish silhouette with a short narrow neck and oval fish belly body.Symmetrical small lugs extend from both sides for strap threading.Two sets of raised moulded cicada patterns adorn the upper and lower body,with finely incised lines defining the cicada wings.Long vertical streaks of glossy green and amber tri‑color glaze flow naturally down the surface,creating layered,marbled kiln‑transmutation texture.The base forms a wide flared tall foot with off‑white exposed clay at the rim,supported by three small feet on the bottom.The coarse,dry clay body is characteristic of northern Chinese low‑fired lead glaze pottery from the Tang era.In Tang culture,fish motifs symbolized surplus and prosperity,while cicada patterns stood for purity and rebirth.This flask combines both auspicious symbols,blending practical function with symbolic meaning.The tri‑color flowing glaze presents organic,unmatched natural tones,and the appliqué molding work is precise and dimensional.With a generous large size and flawless preservation,this piece stands as a top‑tier example of Tang tri‑color biomorphic pottery.It is ideal for special ancient ceramic exhibition displays and belongs to core collectible categories of medieval lead‑glazed earthenware.

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