This shape is not the original of a pottery, but a copy of a metal wares. Two flat bodies made from molds are glued together to form a flask, and lugs are attached to the shoulder. Camel figures made in Tang Sancai or lead brown glazed often have this shape of flasks on their back, indicating that it was a water bottle hung on the camel’s back with a chain through both lugs. The surface is decorated with iron brown spots over the Phoenix in grape arabesque pattern made of mold.

Provenance
Old collection of Alfred Clark.

Publications
*Fascinating Chinese Ceramics: The Machida City Museum and Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation Collections, Machida City Museum, 2016 (see commentary by Sarah Sato)