A MASSIVE SANCAI-GLAZED BACTRIAN CAMEL

TANG DYNASTY

Details
A MASSIVE SANCAI-GLAZED BACTRIAN CAMEL
tang dynasty
Powerfully modelled with a sinuous neck supporting the head turned slightly to the right, the back between the two humps covered with a saddle-cloth and monster-mask bags, all covered in an amber glaze with some details picked out in green and cream, restored
31 in. (80 cm.) high

Lot Essay

The detail, skilful glaze and imposing size of this camel set it apart from most. For examples with simple monster-mask packs, see Tang Sancai, Heibonsha Series, vol.35, 1977, fig.101; Sekai Toji Zenshu, vol.9, 1961, pl.126; and Valenstein, The Herzman Collection of Chinese Ceramics, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1992, no.22.
Further examples of striding camels unearthed in Luoyang are illustrated by Wan-go Wang and Yang Boda, The Palace Museum, Beijing, pl.140.

The Bactrian camel was not indigenous to China. For a discussion of the importation and various uses of tens of thousands of camels from the Tarim Basin, Eastern Turkestan and Mongolia, refer to Ezekiel Schloss, Ancient Chinese Ceramic Sculpture, 1977, vol.1, pl.220

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