Large Chinese Song Granary Jar with Dragon and Bird Lid
Song Dynasty, 960-1279 A.D. Piriform in shape with piecrust collar to neck and slightly splayed foot; decorated with a medial frieze of applied figures standing above a piecrust collar, a sinuous dragon with a fearsome face and ridge scales coiled around the neck, together with a snake and turtle, swirling clouds and sun or moon between them; domed conical lid with flange rim and bird finial, with suspension loops. Cf. LuYaw (ed.), National University of Singapore. Lee Kong Chian Art Museum, Collection of Chinese Ceramics, Bronze, Archaic Jade Painting & Calligraphy, In The Light of Recent Archaeological Discoveries, SUP, 1990, p.170, for similar. 3.55 kg, 69 cm (27 1/2 in.).

Previously from a Bath, UK, gallery. From the private collection of Desmond Morris. From an important Paris gallery, France. Ex private Parisian collection.