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Please help identify if this pottery figure is from the Tang dynasty period or a recent reproduction.

Height: 35 cm (13.5 inches).

Base Width: 16 cm. Base Depth: 17 cm.

Thanks.

Hi Jac,

At first look, the thing that doesn't fit with the Tang period is the grey/white glaze covering the sleeves (arms).
They didn't use white/grey glaze during those days.

Looking more closely, it seems that the clay used is white, not red as it should be for a non imperial Tang statue.

Also, the cracks in the glaze.
I don't see any in most parts of the glazed area.
On photo 2, we can see some cracks surrounded by some dirt or ? near the neck. It should be the opposite, the cracks should contain some traces of hard white stuff in it, not around it.

I'm very sure this statue will not past the simple water/smell test.
Spread a little water on a non glazed area, the face for example, and see if it is absorbed fast like a blotter plus leaves a smell.

Cheers

Hi Pierre,

Thanks again for your comments.

I goggled for info that could help me identify my statue and got some help from this site - http://gotheborg.com/qa/tang.shtml which suggested the following:

Long before the TL-tests were invented, dealers, collectors, and archaeologist had learnt a few tricks that I now am about to tell you. If you know them you can suddenly be in the position to buy very inexpensive, genuine but not tested Tang pottery pieces, at most favorable prices - and with very little competition.

First - old Tang dynasty fired clay feels different from newly fired clay. Fakes are most often "sharp" on all exposed areas whereas Tang pottery have a soft touch.

Secondly - the lead glaze have usually degraded over the years in a way that is very hard to replicate. Technically the glaze will have stalked itself up into thin layers, which are seen, as if the glaze was covered by salt. (Beware - it might be). It should have a very fine meshed crackle. Each of this are possibly to replicate but rarely both, at the same time.

Thirdly, The best trick are still to check water absorbency and how the figure smells when it is moist! Genuine Tang pottery absorbs water, or moist, very easily, and when moist the piece gives off a very special acrid smell of old earth.

The weak point (beside the fact that I am telling this here and now for the future fakers to read) is that I don't know how many times this smell trick works on the same piece, since the smell is really 1000 years old air getting pressed out of the antique pottery figure. Another weak point as has been pointed out to me that the clay often covering the pieces also could give off a very "old" smell.

Still, a preliminary test that will give you a good clue is just to wet the tip of your finger and press it against any unglazed part of the figure. If the moist soaks up instantaneously and leave a dark spot, you can be almost sure the figure is old if everything else seems ok.

If completely soaked a Tang or older piece will take 2-3 days to get completely dry again. A recent pottery piece does not absorb by far that much water.

This water test is easy to make and will tell a story.
In the old days ppl were trying the tongue test too. (ie sticking your tongue on the clay area and see if it sticks a little or not)
I guess you did try/look at those points you mentioned above.
It is easier to have the piece on hand than to look at a photo.
But in this case, the white/grey glaze is an easy diagnostic. This piece is recent.

The figurine has no white or grey glaze. The sleeves are covered with clear, transparent glaze which looked a little greyish, perhaps due to degradation over time.

In the absence of a TL test, there is another feature present on this figurine which rule out the possibility that it is recent. It is the way the soil is attached to the hollow portion of the figurine. Impossible to imitate.

Below is an article on Chinese Tri-colored Pottery of the Tang Dynasty, taken from http://arts.cultural-china.com/en/31Arts7938.html.

Sancai, or tri-colored pottery, was the magnificent flagship ceramic ware of the Tang Dynasty, as it held not only a unique style but a special function. During an archeologiical dig at the beginning of the 20th century, people uncovered, near an ancient tomb at Luoyang in Henan Province, large quantities. Tang-styled, tri-colored pottery made in the Ming Dynasty. Its one of a kind artistic expression was known to the world once again.

The tri-colored pottery was based on and as an improvement of the lead-glaze pottery of the Han Dynasty. it had bodies made of white pottery clay and covered in low-temperature glaze which contained lead. The glaze itself was mixed with iron, copper, manganese, cobalt and other metals as coloring, and then fired at temperatures between 750 to 800 degrees Celsius. The so called “tri-color” really pertains to multiple colors, including green, yellow, burnt ochre, red, white, blue, black and more.

Some colors were applied singularly while others were applied as mixtures. Before applying glaze, a layer of dressing clay was used, followed by layer after layer of colored glaze in order to realize the intended effect. Some tri-colored pottery adopted traditional decorative styles such as impression, appliqué, engravings, embossed sculpture and so on. The tri-colored pottery ingeniously conveyed lavish effects and sometimes vivid stories. Some Tang-style tri-colored (Tang Sancai) potteries sported gold outlines, which appeared particularly extravagant. Among the excavated works from tombs of Tang Dynasty imperial members, this golden outline effect was especially striking.

The Beijing Palace Museum and Shaanxi Museum, respectively house the tri-colored camel figuring and sculpture of man playing instrument on camel back, which are both priceless collection pieces, modeled in the realistic style. the camel figurines are about 1 meter tall, depicted in either a marching pose or upright standing posture, appearing sumptuous and in grand spirit. The firing and modeling are excellent on both pieces. These double-humped camels, the models for which the sculptures were based, often traversed the Silk Road in the Tang Dynasty and were of a Central Asia origin. More than just a mode of transportation, with their “exotic” appearances, these camels were loved by all people in China during its time. It serves as an indication as to how active and frequent commercial activities and artistic performances were back in the old days. Tri-colored pottery from the Tang Dynasty was a tremendous breakthrough from the monotony, crudeness and rigid styling of the single-colored, glazed pottery. With its realistic and romantic presentation (e.g. figures, animals, tomb beasts), Tang Sancai tells of the prosperous times when nationalities and cultures converged and foreign exchanges were frequent.

Findings of buried Tang-style tri-colored pottery were mostly concentrated around Xi’an and Luoyang, both northern Chinese cities. From excavations of kiln site, the Gong County in Henan, Xing Kilns in Hebei and Yaozhou kilns of Shaanxi were the centers of production. In the south, areas such as Changsha and Wuhan had Tang mausoleums that unveiled works of tri-colored pottery. What’s special was that these potteries had very well preserved glazes, smooth and glistening. It also had very strong and interesting local styling, and indications that they may very well have been produced at kilns nearby. Aside from the type of tri-colored pottery that were used as burial objects, there were also many vessels made for daily use, such as jars, kettles, lamps, dishes, bowls and so forth.

Tri-colored pottery was immensely popular during the height of the Tang Dynasty. it was sold domestically as well as exported to far away countries. After the late-Tang period, tri-colored pottery production dwindled; the works produced were also not as exquisite and high quality as those of the prime Tang period. By the Five Dynasties Period, tri-colored pottery was no longer produced. However, its impact on colored pottery and porcelain of later periods were immense. Even though its glory was short lived, Tang Sancai is still a most favored artifact for people today.

Source: Chinese Ceramics, published by China International Press

URL Title :Chinese Tri-colored Pottery

"Secondly - the lead glaze have usually degraded over the years in a way that is very hard to replicate. Technically the glaze will have stalked itself up into thin layers, which are seen, as if the glaze was covered by salt. (Beware - it might be). It should have a very fine meshed crackle. Each of this are possibly to replicate but rarely both, at the same time. "

The author of the article from which the above identification criteria was taken did not provide sharp photos.

Perhaps the photos below illustrate what she meant by "fine meshed crackle".

Photos are for comparison or reference, if you believe this piece is authentic, in the absence of a TL test.

Below are videos on the Origin of Tang Sancai, which have helped me to know more about the figurine that I have collected.

The excavated Tang pottery shown in the videos were made of white clay.

https://youtu.be/MYWgmsDABgs

https://youtu.be/59hOpsg2xXk








URL Title :[彩陶寻踪 HQ] The Origin of Sancai (01) Part One 1/2

Water test result ?

Passed water absorbency test with flying speed. Smell is there too.

I think pierredw is wrong about the grey glaze not being used in the tang dynasty. It's just one of the rarer colors seen, as the photograph bellow shows. Also the clay looks beige rather than white, but it's difficult to see on the photograph. But there are extremely well made reproductions being made in China today

I got one blue glazed sancai court musician very similar to the one seen on the photograph, that I bought from a Hong Kong dealer for less than $50.
Everything about it seems correct for an original. It even have iridescent colors in some places and crystallized mineral formations at the base. It also gives off a mild smell like an old cellar when moistened, but it doesn't absorb water like a sponge, if it's supposed to do that? If it wasn't because I got it in from Hong Kong and the price I paid, I would have sworn it's a real one.

Link is for the site, where I found the photgraph.

http://history.cultural-china.com/en/54History405.html

I have 5 sancai court musicians that I bought for S$30 each. They are very good replicas that failed the water absorbency test.

I have a piece similar to the photos shown, however my statue has colors the are different, the hair is black. Also I have tried the water and smell test ..The water absorbed quickly, and resulting in a smell I would compare to stale cigar smoke.. it is a very strong smell. There is "crackle" , some of the areas more than others. Is this piece real?

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