VARIOUS PROPERTIES
AN IMPORTANT DINGYAO MORTAR

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AN IMPORTANT DINGYAO MORTAR
NORTHERN SONG DYNASTY

Of octagonal section, the deep rounded receptacle framed by a downward sloping rim carved in low relief to the surface with a classic scroll meander above overlapping petals on the waisted sides, the stepped base with recessed panels, each with a ferocious animal mask in relief within a quatrefoil cartouche flanked by moulded seated figures at the angles above the bracket feet connected by shaped aprons, the fine white body covered in a glaze of faint celadon tint pooling in the recesses (rim chips, breaks restuck, section of base restored)--10 3/4in. (27.5cm.) wide

Lot Essay

No other Dingyao mortar of this remarkable size and sculptural form is recorded.

Cf. a hexagonal dingyao mortar crisply moulded to the sides with lion-masks within shaped panels from the Frederick M. Mayer collection sold in our London Rooms, 24 June 1974, now in the Matsuoka Museum of Art, illustrated in Selected Masterpieces of Oriental Ceramics, pl. 28; and an octagonal xingyao mortar with mythical beast masks crisply moulded to the sides within panels edged with simulated bamboo from the British Rail Pension Fund, sold in London, 12 December 1989, lot 74. A qingbai type mortar in the Percival David Foundation is illustrated in the Catalogue, Section 4, pl. XI, no. 182

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