A SANCAI-GLAZED ‘TANG REVIVAL’ FIGURE OF A BACTRIAN CAMEL, QING DYNASTY
Lot 997 - AK0126

China, late Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). Realistically modeled, with head arched back in a trumpeting bray, replete with elaborate saddlebags modeled as large grimacing monster masks glazed in amber, cream, and green, the camel covered predominantly in cream and amber glaze with the carved details of the fur glazed in brown.

Provenance: Italian trade.
Condition: Some repairs to the neck, saddle, legs and face, touchups, fills, and small chips. Typical firing irregularities including firing cracks, glaze flakes, glaze recesses, and dark spots. Overall displaying exceptionally well. An aperture drilled to interior rim at the belly.

Weight: 10 kg
Dimensions: Height 66.9 cm

The present example, standing foursquare, carries a noteworthy pack with a large, grimacing monster mask. This depiction was likely taken from a pack type that was actually used at the time.

From the 6th century onwards and throughout the entire Tang dynasty, the Bactrian camel frequently appears among the tomb figures of China. Imported from the Tarim Basin, eastern Turkestan, and Mongolia, it was an essential means of transporting merchants and cargo along the Silk Road into China. The species was highly regarded by the Tang emperors who established dedicated offices to oversee the imperial camel herd. Referred to as the ships of the desert, camels endured hot temperatures and were the essential method of transport for merchants wishing to conduct trade with the oasis cities of Central Asia, such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Isfahan, along the trading routes of the ancient Silk Road.

Literature comparison:
Compare a related but earlier sancai glazed pottery figure of a camel, but with blue details, dated to the Tang dynasty, 57 cm tall, in the Walters Art Museum, accession number 49.2383. Compare a related but earlier sancai glazed pottery figure of a striding camel, dated to the Tang dynasty, 82.4 cm tall, in the British Museum, museum number 1936,1012.228.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 17 September 2010, lot 1306
Price: USD 188,500 or approx. EUR 240,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A massive sancai-glazed pottery figure of a Bactrian camel, Tang dynasty (618-907)
Expert remark: Compare the pose, the brown fur details, the elaborate mask, and color of the glazes. Note the size (86 cm), and the earlier dating