A RARE PAINTED POTTERY MODEL OF A FOREIGN WINE MERCHANT...
The John E. Bodie OBE (1930-2023) Collection of Chinese Art 大英帝國官佐勳章獲勳人John E. Bodie(1930-2023)中國藝術品收藏
A RARE PAINTED POTTERY MODEL OF A FOREIGN WINE MERCHANT
Tang Dynasty
The bearded Central Asian figure with bushy eyebrows and broad nose wearing a conical hat and kneeling on one knee, holding a large vessel in the form of a goose with flaring spout, painted in red, black and white pigments, all raised on a lotus petal pedestal.
33.5cm (13 2/8in) high.
唐 彩繪胡人陶佣
Provenance: William Clayton Ltd., London, 19 January 1967 (valuation for insurance)
John E. Bodie OBE (1930-2023), London, collection no.12
來源：倫敦古董商William Clayton Ltd.，1967年1月19日（保險評估）
大英帝國官佐勳章獲勳人John E. Bodie(1930-2023)，倫敦，藏品編號12
Artefacts like this piece, despite being crafted for burial purposes, offer a vivid glimpse into life during the prosperous Tang dynasty, reflecting the interconnected trade routes of the era. The depiction of a wine merchant clutching a leather wine container in the form of a goose is particularly evocative. Jan Chapman in her paper, 'A New Look at 'Wine Carriers' Among Tang Dynasty Figures', Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society., vol.52, 1987-88, pp.11-20, illustrates two similar figures, p.12, pls.1 and 2, the first in the Rietberg Museum, Zurich, the second in The Burrell Collection, Glasgow Museums and Art Gallery, and argues that they are not holding a real goose, but an earthenware vessel of goose shape, in which a rhinoceros horn has been inserted as a stopper, which could also be used as a cup. Grape wine was enjoyed in the Tang dynasty, although it was not as prevalent as other types of alcoholic beverages, such as rice wine and fermented fruit wines. Grape wine, often imported from Central Asia along the Silk Road, was a luxury enjoyed by the elite and played a role in diplomatic exchanges and cultural interactions with foreign traders and envoys. This merchant is adorned in attire distinct from traditional Chinese garments, sporting a conical cap, sleeveless tunic, and boots indicative of foreign influence.
Compare with a related sancai glazed figure of a wine seller, Tang dynasty, in the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco (acc.no. B60P521). See also another figure of a wine merchant, Tang dynasty, illustrated by M.Prodan, The Tang Potter, London, 1960, p.96. Perhaps the best-known sancai-glazed figure of a wine merchant is in the Seattle Art Museum, illustrated in Ibid., p.135.
See also a sancai-glazed pottery figure of a merchant holding a goose-shaped wine vessel, Tang dynasty, which was sold at Christie's New York, 18 September 2015, lot 2299.
Bid on this lot
The John E. Bodie OBE (1930-2023) Collection of Chinese Art 大英帝國官佐勳章獲勳人John E. Bodie(1930-2023)中國藝術品收藏
A RARE PAINTED POTTERY MODEL OF A FOREIGN WINE MERCHANT
Tang Dynasty
The bearded Central Asian figure with bushy eyebrows and broad nose wearing a conical hat and kneeling on one knee, holding a large vessel in the form of a goose with flaring spout, painted in red, black and white pigments, all raised on a lotus petal pedestal.
33.5cm (13 2/8in) high.
唐 彩繪胡人陶佣
Provenance: William Clayton Ltd., London, 19 January 1967 (valuation for insurance)
John E. Bodie OBE (1930-2023), London, collection no.12
來源：倫敦古董商William Clayton Ltd.，1967年1月19日（保險評估）
大英帝國官佐勳章獲勳人John E. Bodie(1930-2023)，倫敦，藏品編號12
Artefacts like this piece, despite being crafted for burial purposes, offer a vivid glimpse into life during the prosperous Tang dynasty, reflecting the interconnected trade routes of the era. The depiction of a wine merchant clutching a leather wine container in the form of a goose is particularly evocative. Jan Chapman in her paper, 'A New Look at 'Wine Carriers' Among Tang Dynasty Figures', Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society., vol.52, 1987-88, pp.11-20, illustrates two similar figures, p.12, pls.1 and 2, the first in the Rietberg Museum, Zurich, the second in The Burrell Collection, Glasgow Museums and Art Gallery, and argues that they are not holding a real goose, but an earthenware vessel of goose shape, in which a rhinoceros horn has been inserted as a stopper, which could also be used as a cup. Grape wine was enjoyed in the Tang dynasty, although it was not as prevalent as other types of alcoholic beverages, such as rice wine and fermented fruit wines. Grape wine, often imported from Central Asia along the Silk Road, was a luxury enjoyed by the elite and played a role in diplomatic exchanges and cultural interactions with foreign traders and envoys. This merchant is adorned in attire distinct from traditional Chinese garments, sporting a conical cap, sleeveless tunic, and boots indicative of foreign influence.
Compare with a related sancai glazed figure of a wine seller, Tang dynasty, in the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco (acc.no. B60P521). See also another figure of a wine merchant, Tang dynasty, illustrated by M.Prodan, The Tang Potter, London, 1960, p.96. Perhaps the best-known sancai-glazed figure of a wine merchant is in the Seattle Art Museum, illustrated in Ibid., p.135.
See also a sancai-glazed pottery figure of a merchant holding a goose-shaped wine vessel, Tang dynasty, which was sold at Christie's New York, 18 September 2015, lot 2299.
