An impressive and highly sculptural pair of ancient Chinese grey pottery vessels dating to the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC), an important era in the development of Chinese material culture preceding the Warring States period.
Each vessel is strongly potted with a spreading pedestal foot supporting a generously rounded, angular body, rising through a tall, narrowing neck to an architectural upper section. The mouths are surrounded by distinctive projecting vertical flanges, creating a striking geometric silhouette that reflects the influence of contemporary ritual bronze vessel forms.
Particularly notable are the large free-moving pottery ring handles suspended from moulded lugs beneath the upper section. Ring handles were an important feature of ancient Chinese bronze design, and their translation here into pottery demonstrates the close relationship between ceramic and bronze-working traditions during the Eastern Zhou period.
The two vessels are closely related yet subtly individual. Variations in their proportions, surface colour and hand-finished details give each its own character while creating a particularly harmonious pair. Their restrained grey surfaces and strong geometric construction exemplify the increasingly sophisticated approach to ceramic form during the Spring and Autumn period.
Standing approximately 33 cm and 35 cm high, the vessels have considerable presence and are especially striking when displayed together.
Provenance:
The Mary and Peter White Collection, United Kingdom.
Mary and Peter White were members of the Oriental Ceramic Society, London.
Period: Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC)
Culture: Eastern Zhou Dynasty
Material: Grey pottery
Height: 33 cm and 35 cm
An impressive and highly sculptural pair of ancient Chinese grey pottery vessels dating to the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC), an important era in the development of Chinese material culture preceding the Warring States period.
Each vessel is strongly potted with a spreading pedestal foot supporting a generously rounded, angular body, rising through a tall, narrowing neck to an architectural upper section. The mouths are surrounded by distinctive projecting vertical flanges, creating a striking geometric silhouette that reflects the influence of contemporary ritual bronze vessel forms.
Particularly notable are the large free-moving pottery ring handles suspended from moulded lugs beneath the upper section. Ring handles were an important feature of ancient Chinese bronze design, and their translation here into pottery demonstrates the close relationship between ceramic and bronze-working traditions during the Eastern Zhou period.
The two vessels are closely related yet subtly individual. Variations in their proportions, surface colour and hand-finished details give each its own character while creating a particularly harmonious pair. Their restrained grey surfaces and strong geometric construction exemplify the increasingly sophisticated approach to ceramic form during the Spring and Autumn period.
Standing approximately 33 cm and 35 cm high, the vessels have considerable presence and are especially striking when displayed together.
Provenance:
The Mary and Peter White Collection, United Kingdom.
Mary and Peter White were members of the Oriental Ceramic Society, London.
Period: Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC)
Culture: Eastern Zhou Dynasty
Material: Grey pottery
Height: 33 cm and 35 cm
