25th Jul, 2025 11:00
Three-Day Auction: Asian Art Discoveries
1078
A SMALL SANCAI-GLAZED POTTERY FIGURE OF A FOREIGNER, TANG DYNASTY
Sold for €715
including Buyer's Premium
Published & Exhibited: Ben Janssens Oriental Art, TEFAF Maastricht, 7-16 March 2008, p. 52-53.
Scientific Analysis Report: A thermoluminescence analysis report issued by Oxford Authentication on 18 September 2007, based on sample number C207b71, sets the firing date of the one sample taken between 900 and 1500 years ago, consistent with the dating above. A copy of the report accompanies this lot.
China, 618-906. The man standing on a square base, his muscular torso leaning forward, the left hand resting on the sash he has tied around his waist, while the right hand is tucked around his back. The face with a comical expression, large open mouth revealing his teeth and red tongue, bulging eyes above an upturned nose, a pointed beard, and with a tightly fitted headdress. The body is covered in a green glaze suffused with fine crackles and with amber and cream splashes, save for the unglazed head.
Provenance: Ben Janssens Oriental Art, London, 2008. The storage box inscribed to the top and one side, ‘Tang sancai comedian’. Ben Janssens opened his eponymous gallery in 1996 in London, specializing in early Chinese art. Previously he had been a director at Spink & Son. He also served as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of TEFAF Maastricht.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, firing irregularities, little glaze flaking around the base, a drilled aperture from sample taking, and remnants of pigments.
Weight: 94.6 g
Dimensions: Height 10.8 cm
With a padded storage box. (2)
This figure of a foreigner depicts either a groom or an entertainer, a travelling acrobat, strongman, or perhaps a comedian who is interacting with an audience as suggested by his animated pose and expression. His facial features are almost grotesque, even lion-like, underlining his outlandish and exotic appearance.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby’s London, 7 November 2007, lot 259
Price: GBP 2,250 or approx. EUR 5,100 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A miniature sancai figure of a boy, Tang dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the related modeling and glaze. Note the size (5.2 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 20 July 2017, lot 176
Price: USD 3,000 or approx. EUR 3,700 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A small painted pottery figure of a dwarf, Tang dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the related subject and modeling. Note the size (14 cm) and that the figure is unglazed.
Published & Exhibited: Ben Janssens Oriental Art, TEFAF Maastricht, 7-16 March 2008, p. 52-53.
Scientific Analysis Report: A thermoluminescence analysis report issued by Oxford Authentication on 18 September 2007, based on sample number C207b71, sets the firing date of the one sample taken between 900 and 1500 years ago, consistent with the dating above. A copy of the report accompanies this lot.
China, 618-906. The man standing on a square base, his muscular torso leaning forward, the left hand resting on the sash he has tied around his waist, while the right hand is tucked around his back. The face with a comical expression, large open mouth revealing his teeth and red tongue, bulging eyes above an upturned nose, a pointed beard, and with a tightly fitted headdress. The body is covered in a green glaze suffused with fine crackles and with amber and cream splashes, save for the unglazed head.
Provenance: Ben Janssens Oriental Art, London, 2008. The storage box inscribed to the top and one side, ‘Tang sancai comedian’. Ben Janssens opened his eponymous gallery in 1996 in London, specializing in early Chinese art. Previously he had been a director at Spink & Son. He also served as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of TEFAF Maastricht.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, firing irregularities, little glaze flaking around the base, a drilled aperture from sample taking, and remnants of pigments.
Weight: 94.6 g
Dimensions: Height 10.8 cm
With a padded storage box. (2)
This figure of a foreigner depicts either a groom or an entertainer, a travelling acrobat, strongman, or perhaps a comedian who is interacting with an audience as suggested by his animated pose and expression. His facial features are almost grotesque, even lion-like, underlining his outlandish and exotic appearance.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby’s London, 7 November 2007, lot 259
Price: GBP 2,250 or approx. EUR 5,100 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A miniature sancai figure of a boy, Tang dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the related modeling and glaze. Note the size (5.2 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 20 July 2017, lot 176
Price: USD 3,000 or approx. EUR 3,700 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A small painted pottery figure of a dwarf, Tang dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the related subject and modeling. Note the size (14 cm) and that the figure is unglazed.
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