A 'Sancai'-Glazed Pottery Figure of a Falconer Tang dynasty

the figure standing in contrapposto, gesturing with the left hand toward a small green-glazed bird perched on the right hand bent at the elbow, the unglazed head supporting a tall felt hat modeled with trefoil and wing motifs, his mouth open in amusement, wearing a chestnut-glazed Persian-style coat with green lapels and numerous tassels suspended from the waistband, falling in folds above unglazed leather shoes, on a square base

Collection of Earl Morse.
Sotheby's New York, 24th April 1975.
Collection of Ezekiel Schloss (until 1984).
Sotheby's New York, 3rd December 1984, lot 5.
Thereafter with the present owners.

 

 

Ezekiel Schloss, Ancient Chinese Ceramic Sculpture from Han through Tang, Conn., 1977, vol. 1, p. 43, fig. 9.

The figure is in good overall condition. Inspected under UV light. Possible restoration to right ankle/shoe area. Remnants of red pigments to his lips.
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 glazed figure of a falconer is especially fine for its lively and naturalistic modeling. Falconry was very popular during the Tang Dynasty and it is known that the emperor received hunting falcons and hawks as tribute items from his vassals. The hat seen on this figure is particularly noteworthy for its elaborate and detailed decoration that closely follows contemporary felt hat designs.

Falconers modeled in the same pose, with slightly bent waist and holding a bird perched on their right arm, can be found wearing differently glazed coats; for example see a figure with a green coat sold in these rooms, 27th November 1990, lot 86, and again, 2nd June 1993, lot 262; another with a yellow coat with green lapels, illustrated in Sekai toji zenshu, vol. 9, Tokyo, 1956, pl. 115, but lacking the bird; two further examples, included in the exhibition Ausstellung Chinesischer Kunst, Berlin, 1929, cat.no. 324; and one from the Thomas Barlow Walker collection sold in these rooms, 27th September 1972, lot 679.