SONG-YUAN DYNASTY (AD 960-1368)

The shape of this silver ewer can be seen in various ceramic wares as early as the 10th century. A stoneware ewer of this shape (18.1 cm. high), described as being of elongated melon shape, also with a curved spout and strap handle, as well as a cover, but raised on a flat base, dated 10th-12th century, in the Falk Collection, was sold at Christie's New York, 20 September 2001, lot 32. Another stoneware ewer (15 cm. high) of this shape, covered with a transparent, creamy glaze, is illustrated by Bo Gyllensvärd in Chinese Ceramics in the Carl Kempe Collection, Stockholm, 1964, p. 154, pl. 493. Like the present silver ewer, it is raised on a low foot and has a cover, but the body is lobed and the diagonally set spout is short.