Tang Dynasty Deep‑Blue‑Glazed Double‑Dragon‑Handle Vase

拍品描述

Dimensions：Height 31.5 cm (12‑3/8 in), Tang Dynasty (7‑10th Century)Condition & Provenance：The vase maintains solid overall condition without major cracks or destructive chips. The glaze surface is covered with fine age‑related craquelure all over, which comes from long‑term underground burial. Minor wear and tiny glaze losses show up on dragon‑handle tips, rim edge and foot base, these are natural signs of antiquity. The unglazed flat base bears earthy burial patina and old scratch marks left in ancient times. This spectacular vessel comes from a distinguished private early‑Chinese‑art collection based in Seattle, Washington. The American collector acquired this vase through a Hong Kong antique gallery back in the early 1980s, it has remained within the private family collection ever since and never appeared in public auction sales.Description：This imposing Tang‑period deep cobalt‑blue glazed vase is a stunning example of high‑fired lead‑glazed ceramic craftsmanship. Two elaborately molded dragon‑form handles rise upward from the plate‑shaped mouth rim. Each dragon curves gracefully, its head leans inward toward the vase opening, with detailed curled horns and decorative knobs along the handle sides. The slender neck smoothly transitions into a large, full‑bodied ovoid main body tapering down to a stable foot. The whole exterior is entirely covered in a rich, deep navy‑blue glaze. The glaze develops fine, dense craquelure across every surface built up over centuries. The glaze tone is deep and saturated, showing subtle variations of dark blue under light. The flat base is fully unglazed, exposing coarse sandy pottery clay, covered with thick earth‑buried patina and faint old scraping marks. Double‑dragon‑handle vessels of this type represent top‑tier ceremonial Tang pottery. Complete blue‑glazed examples of this large size are pretty scarce, most comparable pieces are held inside museum collections. This well‑preserved artifact delivers powerful visual presence, capturing the bold, grand aesthetic taste of Tang‑era high society, it is a standout collectible for early Chinese ceramic connoisseurs.

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