Lot 73 , A fine Chinese Buddhist pottery zodiac jar, Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279), or possibly the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279-1368)

A fine Chinese Buddhist pottery zodiac jar, Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279), or possibly the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279-1368), strips of clay have been applied to the outer wall of the body to form six lotus leaf panels, within each panel there are two press-moulded animals, each representing one of the twelve zodiac animals, there are also moulded appliqués in the form of human figures, around the shoulder are incised patterns and applied moulded vajra (Buddhist sceptres), the cover decorated with a deeply-incised six-pointed star design, around the base of the jar is what appears to be traces of a yellow-ochre pigment, 24cm high
£300-400

Condition:
Has been been excavated from a Buddhist site in Yunnan province. It is made from a relatively high-fired yellowish-grey pottery. It has been decorated using various techniques. This is a particularly good example of its type. There are the expected signs of wear and age but with no sign of restoration or repair

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