A White-Glazed Ewer Tang Dynasty

elegantly potted with an ovoid body supported on a low foot, rising to a step before the elongated slender neck, surmounted by a gracefully executed spout, the mouth rim curved upright to form an undulating outline, the flat strap handle joining the rim to the sloping shoulder, applied overall with an even creamy-white glaze, leaving the base unglazed to reveal the very pale buff body

The ewer is in good condition. The handle has been broken in three sections. The tip of the spout has been lightly restored as well as the corner of the back right lobe. The neck has been broken at the base. The body appears to be in very good condition with only scattered areas of pinholes and two brown glaze spots (one on the interior of the spout and the other on the inside of the handle. There is a 1cm firing crack on the neck and kiln grit pooled within discolored glaze at the spout. The body has some glaze pull and there are tear streaks near the bottom.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present ewer in its tall elegant form closely follows ewers made in the Xing kilns, situated on the borders of Lincheng and Neiqiu counties in Hebei province, renowned for their production of white wares during the Tang dynasty. See a related 'Xing' ewer, excavated from the tomb of the late Tang and Five dynasties period at Qizuo near Lincheng, illustrated in Wenwu, 1990, no. 5, pl. 3, figs. 4 and 5, and p. 24, fig. 12:6. Compare two further related ewers, both sold in our London rooms, 19th June 2002, lot 14; and 8th December 1992, lot 132.

The form of this ewer appears to derive from a Persian silver shape and a related silver vessel, discovered in a Tang tomb in Ju Ud Meng in Inner Mongolia, was included in the exhibition Chugoku Uchi Moko hoppo kiba minzoku bunbutus ten, Tokyo, 1983, cat.no. 69.

The dating of this lot is consistent with the results of a thermoluminescence test, Oxford Authentication Ltd., no. P106n79.