Large Chinese Song / Yuan Dynasty Glazed Buddhist Jar

This large and impressive pottery jar was made around the 13th / 14th century, during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279) or the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). Until recent years, this type of jar was almost unknown in the west with some people initially attributing them to the Liao Dynasty (same general period but in the north of China). These jars are now known to have originated from a Buddhist site in Yunnan province in the south-west of China.

It is "heavily-potted" and coated in a very attractive streaky green glaze of varying shades that has been applied on top of a pale slip, to emphasize its colour. Various moulded Buddhist motifs have been applied to the surfaces of both the cover and jar. Interestingly, one such appliqué appears to have fallen from the jar, prior to the jar being glazed. In places the glaze has acquired a silvery iridescence, a reaction of the glaze to long exposure to moisture. To the underside of the cover are traces of Sanskrit-type characters in red pigment.

Height 38 cm (15 inches), diameter 26 cm (10.25 inches). Condition is very good. There is minor flaking to the glaze, mostly around the edge of the cover, and a hairline to the edge of the cover (very difficult to see). There is no sign or restoration or repair.

This jar is from our personal collection of Buddhist pottery jars from Yunnan province that we acquired around twenty years ago and have not previously offered for sale.

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