Lot 114
A Tall Yingqing Granary Jar and Cover, Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279)
Lot 114 Details
A Tall Yingqing Granary Jar and Cover, Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279)
南宋 青白堆塑盖瓶
The vase applied on the body with twelve figures representing the zodiac, above moulded further with a sinuous dragon amidst birds and deer, the cover topped with a bird finial
overall height 28.9 in — 73.5 cm
Estimate $300-$500
Additional Images
Note:
Qingbai funerary jars of this type were produced at Jingdezhen during the Southern Song dynasty (960–1279) and are commonly found in tombs across southeastern China. Often adorned with applied figures representing zodiac deities or Daoist immortals, as well as other auspicious animals, they reflect enduring cosmological beliefs dating back to the Han dynasty. These vessels may have served as granary jars, intended to provide sustenance in the afterlife, or as urns for cremated remains, which were functions shaped by the growing influence of Buddhism and evolving burial customs. The transition from the lavish tombs of the Tang to more restrained Song practices reflects broader shifts in religious, economic, and cultural life. Such jars embody the spiritual concerns and aesthetic refinement characteristic of Song funerary art.
Compare with an example sold at Sotheby's New York, December 1, 2022, lot 729, price realised 882 USD
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2022/china-5000-years-11/two-qingbai-funerary-vases-and-a-cover-song