A Pair of Large Painted Pottery Vases and Covers (Hu) Han Dynasty

each of well-potted hu form, the globular body encircled by two wide bands of scrollwork in red and white pigment, divided by grooved white borders, the pattern repeated on the tall waisted neck beneath a band of triangular and arched motifs, the shoulders applied with white taotie masks, the domed cover with a matching design of C-scrolls in red, white and lavender pigments, all above a tapered foot (4)

Sotheby's New York, 3rd December 1986, lot 64.
Thereafter with the present owners.

Inspected under UV light and both appear to be in good overall condition. The taotie masks are intact. One cover with two very minor old chips to the edges and underside. One jar has slightly more wear to the paint, resulting in a darker surface. The colors are consistent with the catalogue illustration.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present pair of vases is especially outstanding for its well preserved decorations reminiscent of bronze inlay work. A Han pottery vessel of this type with very similar  painted decoration, from the Edward T. Chow collection, was sold in our London rooms, 16th December 1980, lot 207; another, from the Eumorfopoulos Collection, was included in the exhibition of Chinese Art, the Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1935, cat. no. 548, pl. 104; and one in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is published in Thomas Dexel, Fruhe Keramik in China, Braunschweig, 1973, pl. 42c.  

Compare three further related examples of painted hu illustrated in Spirit of Han, Singapore, 1991, pls. 20-22; one from the Avery Brundage collection included in the exhibition Gems of Chinese Art from the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1983, cat.no. 4; and another in the Nelson Gallery of Art, Atkins Museum, Kansas City, published in the museum's Handbook. Nelson Gallery of Art. Atkins Museum, vol. II, Kansas City, 1973, p. 76, where it is mentioned that vessels of this type were 'characteristic substitution objects made for burial only, in which a valuable jar of lacquered wood, probably with gilt-bronze fittings, has been imitated in clay'.