China. Of compressed globular form, rising from three sturdy feet to a tall neck with an everted rim, applied to the sides with Buddhist lion masks with large bulbous eyes, bushy eyebrows, and an open mouth. Covered in a rich streaked yellowish-olive glaze thinning to a deep dark russet at the rim and mask handles, and stopping unevenly above the feet.

Provenance: From the collection of Dr. Wou Kiuan. Wou Lien-Pai Museum, coll. no. T.3.37. Inscribed with a three-character inscription to the base in pencil. Wou Kiuan (1910-1997) was a Chinese diplomat and noted scholar of Chinese art. His father, Wou Lien-Pai (1873-1944), was one the leading political figures of early 20th century China, remembered for his role as speaker and leader of parliament during the turbulent years of the Republican era. Dr. Wou himself embarked on an illustrious career in diplomacy until his retirement in 1952, when he settled in London and devoted the rest of his life to the study of Chinese art. It was no doubt fortuitous that Dr. Wou’s years of collecting coincided with an abundant availability of exceptional Chinese art on the London market. From the mid-1950s to the late 1960s he was able to form a collection of well over 1,000 works that together represented virtually every category of Chinese art. At the heart of Dr. Wou’s drive to collect was a burning desire to preserve the relics of China’s rich historical past scattered across Europe, and to promote Chinese art and culture. It is unclear when Dr. Wou conceived of the idea to create a place to house his collection, but in 1968 he opened the doors to the Wou Lien-Pai Museum, named in honor of his father. Over the years the Museum became a ‘must see’ destination for collectors, academics, and visiting dignitaries, and Dr. Wou would delight in leading his visitors through the galleries, recounting stories of China’s glorious history.
Condition: Overall good condition with minor wear and firing irregularities. Encrustations and tiny scratches. One tiny chip to the glaze along the rim. The rim with two cracks which have been stabilized.

Weight: 519.6 g
Dimensions: Height 9 cm, Diameter 14 cm