. This jar, or bottle, is heavily-potted and made from a light grey stoneware with a double-ringed mouth coated in a dark brown glaze. The pattern around the shoulder, in overglaze iron oxide, features three stylized birds in flight, abstractly painted. Height 21cm (8.25 inches). c.12th – 13th Century, possibly later.
For reference: similar examples are illustrated and described in the 1996 book “Hare’s Fur, Tortoiseshell, Partridge Feathers, Chinese Brown- and Black-Glazed Ceramics, 400 – 1400”.
Provenance: from the collection of the late Brian Page (1938-2018), the well-known Oriental art and antiques dealer from Brighton.