A fine and rare green-glazed stoneware kundika Tang Dynasty / Five Dynasties

supported on a slightly splayed foot, the elegantly lobed ovoid body surmounted by a gently tapering neck rising to a flanged collar and short faceted shaft, set on one side of the shoulder with a projecting faceted spout, with double-lines dividing the body into six vertical lobes, carved with large flowering peony blossoms with lightly incised 'veins' to the petals and a foliate cartouche framing the spout, all below a band of scrolling flowers and two raised ribs encircling the neck, the broad collar carved with overlapping lappets and pierced with two circular apertures on opposite ends, covered overall in a pale seafoam green glaze

This ewer is in excellent overall condition. There is some expected wear to the glaze, especially around the shaft rim, the spout, and the bottom of the foot. One pinhole just above the foot with minute pinpricks scattered along the body. The glaze is thick and very even.
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.

Ewers of this type, known as kundika after the Sanskrit term for a 'pure-water bottle', were used in Buddhist ceremonies during the Tang dynasty and derived their shapes from metal prototypes; see a bronze example illustrated in Ancient Chinese Arts in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1989, pl. 328. It is extremely rare to find a green-glazed stoneware example.

The present kundika is also exceptional for its elegant lobed shape and carved decoration. Vessels of this type are generally known from the three main manufactories that made early white stonewares: the Gongxian kilns in Henan and the Xing and Ding kilns in Hebei. Tang white-glazed kundika are usually undecorated and are of rounded globular form with a plain tall neck. The present ewer also has a thin long spout instead of the upright lobed spout with a cupped mouth as seen on typical white-glazed kundika of the same period. 

For examples of Tang white-glazed kundika see one included in Sekai toji zenshu, vol.11, Tokyo, 1976, pl. 110; another in the Palace Museum, Beijing, published in Zhongguo taoci quanji, vol. 5, Shanghai, 2000, pl. 135; and a third vessel included in the exhibition Shapes and Glazes of the Tang, Berwald Oriental Art, London, 2002, cat.no. 18.

Compare also a green-glazed 'Yue' ewer of ovoid form, the body carved with leaf fronds and divided by vertical ribs and the shoulder further incised with foliate scrolls, from the Bai Ma Xuan collection offered in these rooms, 22nd September 2005, lot 3; and another 'Yue' ewer with undecorated panels, from the Yuegutang Collection, illustrated in Regina Krahl, Yuegutang, Berlin, 2000, pl. 123.