TWO LARGE SANCAI-GLAZED POTTERY FIGURES OF LEONINE EARTH SPIRITS TANG DYNASTY |

each winged beast modeled seated on its haunches atop a pierced rockwork base, the fierce head with mouth agape, teeth bared, and pulled back in a menacing snarl beneath bulging eyes and furrowed brows and framed by a projecting mane (one flaring and one spiky), all beneath two pairs of slender, curving horns flanking a tall unglazed flame-form crest, liberally splashed overall with green, amber and straw glazes (2)

Collection of Joseph Winterbotham, Jr. (1878-1954).
Gifted to the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago in 1954 (acc. no. 1954.412 and 1954.413).

Both with restored breaks and losses to extremities notable the horns, manes and flame-form crest. There are also some later replacements such as both applied bosses on the top of the head. There is wear overall, glaze erosion and loss (particularly around the base) and some areas of restored glaze.
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.

Two sancai-glazed figures with similarly leonine features, described as a pair and of slightly larger size, from the collection of the British Rail Pension Fund were sold in our London rooms, 12th December 1989. Two further figures of this feline type, also described as a pair, from the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, sold at Christie's New York, 3rd December 1992, lot 236.