A LARGE PAINTED POTTERY ‘RAM’ VESSEL, ZUN, HAN DYNASTY

Scientific Analysis Report: A thermoluminescence analysis report issued by Alliance-Science-Art on 8 October 1994, based on reference number 14.15.37-TL 9291, sets the firing date of the three samples taken between 1,700 and 2,100 years ago, consistent with the dating above. A copy of the report accompanies this lot.

China, 206 BC-220 AD. The tubular body is finely modeled in a recumbent pose with the legs neatly tucked beneath and the head lifted between elegantly curled horns. A broad band, picked out in red and white pigments, encircles the torso and rises toward a cylindrical aperture at the back, which forms the vessel’s mouth. The tail is shaped in a semi-cylindrical curve, while the eyes, lips, and horns are carefully articulated with red highlights.

Provenance: From a private collection in France and thence by descent.
Condition: Very good condition, commensurate with age. Expected wear, firing cracks, signs of burial, encrustations, few small chips, one foot with an old repair, possibly further minor repairs and touchups, as is typical for authentic Han dynasty excavations.
French Export License: Certificate d’exportation pour un bien culturel, file no. 103110, dated 15 September 2008, has been granted by the Ministre de la culture et de la communication, France. A copy accompanies this lot.

Weight: 5.2 kg
Dimensions: Length 46.5 cm

With a padded storage box. (2)

Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related Han-dynasty gray pottery zun in the form of a recumbent ram, 40 cm long, unearthed in April 2006 from Tomb M11 at Lingtou, Zhicheng, and now in the Jiyuan Museum.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 16 September 1999, lot 260
Price: USD 27,600 or approx. EUR 45,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: An unusual painted grey pottery vessel and cover, Han dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the related zoomorphic form. Note the size (38.7 cm).

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