A LARGE GREEN-GLAZED AMPHORA TANG DYNASTY

the ovoid body rising to a tall waisted neck collared by five concentric rings, supporting a cupped mouth with a rolled lip rim, the broad shoulders set with a pair of dragon handles rising from the shoulders and biting the rim of the vessel, the upper portion dipped in a very pale yellow-celadon glaze pooling in the recesses, Japanese wood box (3)

Manno Art Museum, Osaka. 

The right hand handle (as seen in catalogue photo) with five restorerd breaks and a loss to the central boss, with an associated 1.3 by 1 cm chip. The other handle with a loss to the uppermost boss, with associated 0.5 cm wide chip to the dragon's mane, and a 1 by 0.7 cm shallow chip to the base of the handle. Otherwise in good general condition, with small chips and glaze flaking to the handles and rim. A 0.7 by 1.2 cm chip above the foot. Other firing imperfections consistent with age and size of vessel. The glaze of a greener, more celadon color.
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.

Amphora of this large size are relatively rare. Compare two amphora of comparable size from the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, included in the exhibition Chinese Ceramics from the Prehistoric Period through Ch'ien Lung, Los Angeles County Museum, 1952, cat. nos 85 and 86.