A RARE MOLDED AMBER-GLAZED 'KALAVINKA' FLASK, LIAO DYNASTY

A RARE MOLDED AMBER-GLAZED 'KALAVINKA' FLASK

LIAO DYNASTY

遼 黃釉妙音鳥持蓮紋皮囊壺

modeled after a leather prototype, the pear-shaped body supported on a slightly splayed foot, and tapering to a cylindrical ribbed spout, set to one side and applied with an arched crimped handle terminating in downturned lotus petals, the vessel molded and incised on each side with a figure of a kalavinka with wings outstretched and hands holding lotus sprays, all under a rich amber glaze stopping around the base to reveal the pale slip and buff pinkish clay 

Height 9 in., 22.8 cm