Lot Essay
Northern Wei dynasty camels of this type, which attempt to realistically portray the heavily laden camels that were such an important part of China's trading life, are usually shown in a standing position. This more unusual depiction of a camel either lowering itself into a seated position so that it can be unloaded or rising from that position to begin its journey is a fascinating variation which carries the attempt at realism one step further
A very similar camel was included in the exhibition, Chinese Ceramics, Neolithic Period-Northern Song, Uragami Sokyo-Do, Co., Tokyo, October 1-3, 1995, Catalogue, no. 2. Another, also with roughened patches of hair, is illustrated in Sekai Toji Zenshu, vol. 8, Japan, 1955, p. 270, fig. 311. A similar camel, this time shown fully seated with legs bent beneath its body, is in the Victoria and Albert Museum and illustrated in The Mount Trust Collection of Chinese Art, London, 1970, no. 22. Compare, also, the kneeling camel without hair patches illustrated in The E. Schloss Collection of Chinese Pottery Figurines, New York, 1963, no. 9
The result of Oxford thermoluminescence test no. 866b53 is consistent with the dating of this lot
A very similar camel was included in the exhibition, Chinese Ceramics, Neolithic Period-Northern Song, Uragami Sokyo-Do, Co., Tokyo, October 1-3, 1995, Catalogue, no. 2. Another, also with roughened patches of hair, is illustrated in Sekai Toji Zenshu, vol. 8, Japan, 1955, p. 270, fig. 311. A similar camel, this time shown fully seated with legs bent beneath its body, is in the Victoria and Albert Museum and illustrated in The Mount Trust Collection of Chinese Art, London, 1970, no. 22. Compare, also, the kneeling camel without hair patches illustrated in The E. Schloss Collection of Chinese Pottery Figurines, New York, 1963, no. 9
The result of Oxford thermoluminescence test no. 866b53 is consistent with the dating of this lot