AN UNUSUAL WHITE STONEWARE FLASK IN THE FORM OF A LEATHER POUCH LIAO DYNASTY, 10TH CENTURY

the lower part of oval section, the upper part terminating in a flat bracket-lobed flange and tubular spout with everted lip, the flange enclosed by a raised border and pierced with a hole surrounded by an incised heart-shaped motif, the narrow sides outlined by applied bands of clay to simulate sewn gussets, the near-white stoneware covered with a white slip and a transparent ivory-tinged glaze, leaving the flat base exposed in the biscuit



in Japanese padded purple silk cloth, ribbon-tied paulownia-wood box and cover, and brown cotton furoshiki with inscribed wooden tag

Idemitsu Museum of Art, Tokyo.

Sō ji [Song ceramics], Tobu Museum of Art, Tokyo; The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka; Hagi Uragami Museum, Hagi; 1999, cat. no. 114.

This is generally in good condition, but does have some chips to the rim of the mouth and a crack to the lower back side of the handle. There is also some firing cracks to the body and some iron spots and burst bubbles to the glaze.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This flask, which is very unusual in its angular shape and its fine 'Ding'-type material may have been made at the Longquanwu kilns, Beijing, which were renowned for their high-quality white stonewares in the 'Ding' tradition. Flasks of this accomplished workmanship have been found in royal Liao tombs, and a very similar square flask has been excavated, together with more rounded one, from a royal tomb datable to AD 959 at Chifeng, Inner Mongolia; see Liu Tao, Song Liao Jin jinian ciqi/Dated Ceramics of the Song, Liao and Jin Periods, Beijing, 2004, p. 68, fig. 4-7, and col. pl. 25.