A RARE SANCAI-GLAZED CANDLE STAND TANG DYNASTY |

the cylindrical candle holder centering a circular drip pan raised on a ridged columnar support above a larger drip pan, all raised on a flared foot, covered overall with amber, green and cream glaze in vertically-oriented splashes

Collection of Russell M. Tyson (1867-1963)
Gifted to the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago in 1951 (acc. no. 1951-0306).

There is a large two-part U-form break to the cylindrical candleholder. The column support has a restored break across the base. There is a large restored U-form break or loss to the splayed base. The surface with wear overall, erosion, glaze loss and minor imperfections consistent with age and type.
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 elegantly modeled candle holder is inspired by a bronze prototype. The wealth and sophistication enjoyed by the Tang elite encouraged the production of numerous luxury wares, among which were sophisticated and attractive lamps. Oil lamps had long been used but there are also numerous references to beeswax candles which would have been inserted into the present stand. A similar glazed candlestick in the Gulbenkian Museum of Oriental Art, University of Durham, and formerly in the Macdonald Collection, is illustrated by William Watson, Tang and Liao Ceramics, London, 1984, pl. 42. Another stand of the same form but primarily blue and amber-glazed, is in the Palace Museum, Beijing and illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Porcelain of the Jin and Tang Dynasties, 1996, Hong Kong, pl. 207. A pair of the same form and decoration was sold at Christie's New York, 20th September 2005, lot 194.  For a bronze example of this form see the lamp attributed to the Six Dynasties, sold in these rooms 6th December 1983, lot 21.