A Chinese Song Dynasty stoneware jar with rare stand and cov...

Hammer

£320

A Chinese Song Dynasty stoneware jar with rare stand and cover, Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279), the outer body and inner mouth coated in an iron glaze, the colour of which varies from a "silvery" brown to black, the applied decoration around the shoulder features a dragon chasing a flaming pearl, 24cm high

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A Chinese Song Dynasty stoneware jar with rare stand and cover, Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279), the outer body and inner mouth coated in an iron glaze, the colour of which varies from a "silvery" brown to black, the applied decoration around the shoulder features a dragon chasing a flaming pearl, 24cm high
Dragon Chasing Pearl This rare and impressive stoneware jar was made during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 -1279). It is quite "heavily-potted. The pearl represents wisdom, prosperity, power, immortality and the moon, and is also used as a symbol of feminine beauty and purity. The dragon, the most famous of Chinese mythological beasts, represents strength, goodness and life itself. Jars such as this are rare and the majority of known examples lack the stand and cover that accompany this particular jar. The reason for the unusual stand with the vertical cut-outs to its wall and the circular cut-out hole in its base is not known. Only the wall of the stand is glazed. These Song Dynasty "dragon" jars are not widely documented. They come from Sichuan province and were used for the storage of grain. Overall condition is very good with a couple of chips to the dragon and kiln scars: there is no restoration or repair.