Tang Dynasty Sancai‑Glazed Mandarin Duck Covered Boxes，Pair,7th‑10th century Chinese lead‑glazed terracotta

拍品描述

Dimensions:Single piece Length 12cm(4.72in),Height 7.2cm(2.83in),7‑10th century Tang sancai potteryCondition & Provenance:The pair survives complete with original lids matching each base. Mandarin‑duck silhouettes are intact, molded feather patterns remain sharp. Natural age‑related crazing covers the sancai glaze, only minor surface wear accumulated over centuries. No cracks, major glaze loss or modern restoration. This pair was from a Hong‑Kong‑based private collector focused on early Chinese ceramics, acquired from an antique gallery in Vancouver in 2017. Intact matched pairs of sancai mandarin duck cosmetic boxes are quite rare on global market, serving as prime examples of Tang molded ceramic art.Description:This matched pair of sancai covered boxes were cosmetic vessels in Tang dynasty, used to hold face powder, incense or tiny jewelry. Each piece consists of an oval base and a figurative lid sculpted as a resting mandarin duck. The duck raises its head and fans out its tail feathers. Its wings and plumage are formed with raised molded relief with fine incised feather details. The duck head is covered with brown‑black glaze, while the beak exposes unglazed pottery body. Wings are glazed with intermingled green, amber and brown tones, the classic flowing color effect of Tang sancai. The oval base is coated in deep dark‑blue glaze, the interior compartment and bottom foot reveal warm orange‑yellow earthenware body with typical coarse Tang pottery texture. Mandarin ducks stood for marital harmony and happy union in Tang culture, so paired objects carry auspicious connotation of completeness. Sancai is low‑fired lead‑glazed ware, characterized by naturally flowing and blending multi‑color glazes. Animal‑form covered boxes functioned as daily cosmetic containers as well as burial goods. Surviving undamaged matched pairs are uncommon today. They offer valuable insight into Tang sculptural aesthetics and ancient feminine daily customs, well‑suited for ancient ceramic museum exhibits and high‑end early pottery private collections.

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