Chinese Song Dynasty Stoneware Jar with Rare Stand & Cover - Dragon

This rare and impressive stoneware jar was made during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 -1279). It is quite "heavily-potted" with the outer body and inner mouth coated in an attractive chocolate-brown glaze, that has an almost "silvery" sheen to it. The applied decoration around the shoulder features a dragon chasing a pearl. The pearl represents wisdom, prosperity, power, immortality and the moon, and is also used as a symbol of feminine beauty and purity. The dragon, the most famous of Chinese mythological beasts, represents strength, goodness and life itself.

Jars such as this are rare and the majority of known examples lack the stand and cover that accompany this particular jar. The reason for the unusual stand with the vertical cut-outs to its wall and the circular cut-out hole in its base is not known. Only the wall of the stand is glazed.

These Song Dynasty "dragon" jars are not widely documented. They come from Sichuan province and were used for the storage of grain. For information, we show in our final image the only documented reference of a similar jar that we have been able to find, from a Chinese archaeological publication.

Height 23.5 cm (9.25inches). Overall condition is very good. There is a kiln scar to the mouth edge and to the body of the jar. The thin edge of the cover is chipped. There is no repair or restoration.

This is one of three rare examples, complete with stand and bowl, from our private collection that we are now offering for sale. With the Chinese New Year fast approaching, and 2024 to be the Year of the Dragon, it seemed a good time to offer them for sale. For the other two examples, see our items with stock numbers MC379 & MC380.

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