Chinese Tang dynasty cream-glazed amphora with dragon-head handles
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Department of the University of Pretoria Art
Abstract
Description
This rounded shape amphora with dish mouth tapers to the base and has two handles which end as dragon heads biting the upper rim of the sleek neck. At the lower end of each handle is a t’aoh-t’ie monster head in relief. The cream colour glaze drips over half the body leaving an unglazed lower half, which clearly shows the light beige buff colour of the body under the glaze. This amphora was inspired by Greek Hellenistic prototypes which were brought to India during the time of Alexander the Great and then found their way to China. The Chinese, however, adapted them by the use of dragon heads for handles.
Keywords
Amphora