明嘉靖 紅釉犠耳罐

the baluster body rising to a waisted neck flanked by a pair of bovine mask handles, the exterior covered with a rich vermillion-red glaze pooling into streaks of horizontal layers of darker red, with traces of gilt decoration, the interior glazed white

The jar is in good condition with the exception of a firing crack running approximately half way around the shoulder on the interior which is visible as a line on the exterior, minor rubbing to the extremities of the handles and minor glaze firing imperfections and minor glaze scratches around the body.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

此罐之雛本傳為清宮舊藏明弘治（1488－1505）黄釉描金鋪首罐，現寶蓄北京故宮博物院，錄於《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集·顔色釉》，香港，1999年，圖版36。同著作刊載一黃釉描金罐，造型製式相近但欠鋪首耳，圖版37，及一藍釉描金雙耳罐，罐身以金彩繪有一頭水牛。上述故宮藏品描金紋飾大體保存良好，本品描金痕跡亦依稀可見，罐身原來可能環飾金彩弦綫。

本品施釉法營造直釉痕層疊效果，與其他嘉靖年製紅釉瓷一致，例見一金襴手高足盌，錄於康蕊君，《玫茵堂中國瓷器珍藏》，卷4，第1節，倫敦，2010年，圖版1684；一六方葫蘆瓶，為Eumorfopoulos 故藏，現貯倫敦大英博物館，載於Jessica Harrison-Hall，《Ming Ceramics》，倫敦，2001，圖版9：70。

嘉靖年間有燒白、藍、黃、紅單色釉瓷，據說作分配至不同寺廟之用（同上，頁214）。