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Lot Essay
Large Tang pottery figures of court ladies holding animals are exceedingly rare. Compare a figure with similar posture and hairdo illustrated by M. Medley, Tang Pottery and Porcelain, London, 1981, p. 50; and another by F. Koyama, Toyo kotoji, Tokyo, 1961, p. 49; See, also, a third figure of this type illustrated by R. Krahl, Collection Julius Eberhardt, Early Chinese Art, Hong Kong, 1999, no. 130, where the dog looks to be of the same type held by the present figure; as well as the figure sold in our Los Angeles rooms, Treasures of the Tang, 4 December 1998, lot 20, holding what appears to be a puppy or a dog of a different breed.
According to E. Schafer, The Golden Peaches of Samarkand, little dogs were favorite images in Tang poetry. The affection this plump, graceful court lady shows her pet is clear from her cuddling pose.
The result of Oxford Authentication Ltd. thermoluminescence test no. C101d34 is consistent with the dating of this lot.
According to E. Schafer, The Golden Peaches of Samarkand, little dogs were favorite images in Tang poetry. The affection this plump, graceful court lady shows her pet is clear from her cuddling pose.
The result of Oxford Authentication Ltd. thermoluminescence test no. C101d34 is consistent with the dating of this lot.