Lot Essay
Jessica Rawson discusses the origin of this distinctly Chinese trefoil-lobed "cloud-collar" or yun jian shape in Chinese Ornament: The Lotus and the Dragon, London, 1984, pp. 132-138, suggesting that it was introduced during the Tang period from the Middle East. It is clearly derived from a metalwork prototype and Rawson illustrates an early 8th century silver bowl found near the Tang capital, Xian, fig. 120b. It has ten radiating "cloud collar" panels. She also illustrates a set of ten Tang wood trays with similar trefoil-lobed borders, in the Shosoin at Nara, fig. 120a. Bo Gyllensvard also illustrates a tray with comparable scrolling feet in, "T'ang Gold and Silver", B.M.F.E.A., Stockholm, 1957, no. 29, fig. 44f.
For examples glazed in various other colors, see James Lally, 1988, Catalogue, no. 48; Sekai toji zenshu, Shogakukan, Japan, 1976, vol. 11, p. 140, fig. 122; Oriental Ceramics, Kodansha, Japan, 1983, vol. 8, col. pl. 20 from the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm, also illustrated in Zhonghua wuqian nian wenwu jikan (Tang Sancai), Tokyo, 1984, fig. 115; and by William Watson, Tang and Liao Ceramics , Fribourg, 1984, p. 158, fig. 139, from the Reitburg Museum, Zurich, also illustrated in Treasures from the Reitburg Museum, 1980, Catalogue, p. 128, no. 48.
For examples glazed in various other colors, see James Lally, 1988, Catalogue, no. 48; Sekai toji zenshu, Shogakukan, Japan, 1976, vol. 11, p. 140, fig. 122; Oriental Ceramics, Kodansha, Japan, 1983, vol. 8, col. pl. 20 from the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm, also illustrated in Zhonghua wuqian nian wenwu jikan (Tang Sancai), Tokyo, 1984, fig. 115; and by William Watson, Tang and Liao Ceramics , Fribourg, 1984, p. 158, fig. 139, from the Reitburg Museum, Zurich, also illustrated in Treasures from the Reitburg Museum, 1980, Catalogue, p. 128, no. 48.