Lot Essay
This pilgrim flask belongs to a small group of closely related examples made between the 7th and 8th centuries and typically decorated with foreign figures variously identified as Greco-Roman, Indo-Chinese, Afghan and Indonesian. As a flask, it is evocative of travel and thus lends itself naturally to the expression of Western influences, including non-indigenous plants such as acanthus and the grapevine.
Examples of the type of dancer depicted on the present flask appear to be very rare. For one other example depicting a pair of similarly dressed figures see Seiichi Mizuno, Tousansai (Tang Sancai), vol. 35, Heibonsha, Japan, 1977, no. 33. Usually they depict a bare-chested male dancer with billowing scarf. For further discussion of this and the surrounding floral design, see William Watson, Tang and Liao Ceramics, Fribourg, 1984, p. 144, fig. 123, from the British Museum. See Messrs. Eskenazi, Ancient Chinese Bronze Vessels, Gilt-Bronzes and Early Ceramics, London, June-July 1973, Catalogue, no. 49, for an example wearing pantaloons and without a hat; the Catalogue, of the exhibition, Foreigners in Ancient Chinese Art, China House Gallery, New York, May, 1969, no. 62, glazed olive green and with another type of dancer; and Sekai toji zenshu, Shogakukan, Japan, vol. 11, figs. 34 and 35 for three other versions.
An example with bare-chested male dancer sold at Sotheby's, New York, March 19, 1997, lot 204.
Examples of the type of dancer depicted on the present flask appear to be very rare. For one other example depicting a pair of similarly dressed figures see Seiichi Mizuno, Tousansai (Tang Sancai), vol. 35, Heibonsha, Japan, 1977, no. 33. Usually they depict a bare-chested male dancer with billowing scarf. For further discussion of this and the surrounding floral design, see William Watson, Tang and Liao Ceramics, Fribourg, 1984, p. 144, fig. 123, from the British Museum. See Messrs. Eskenazi, Ancient Chinese Bronze Vessels, Gilt-Bronzes and Early Ceramics, London, June-July 1973, Catalogue, no. 49, for an example wearing pantaloons and without a hat; the Catalogue, of the exhibition, Foreigners in Ancient Chinese Art, China House Gallery, New York, May, 1969, no. 62, glazed olive green and with another type of dancer; and Sekai toji zenshu, Shogakukan, Japan, vol. 11, figs. 34 and 35 for three other versions.
An example with bare-chested male dancer sold at Sotheby's, New York, March 19, 1997, lot 204.