Ron O'Callaghan - Oriental Rug Review - Asian Trade at Old Kelley Tavern
74 Sinclair Hill Road - New Hampton, NH 03256 - (603) 744-9191 - ronocal@lr.net

CH1. This great, squat domed granary sits like a Sumo wrestler on its three "bear" feet. 11" high, 9" wide, the mouth is 3 3/4" across. The bears have the rather fierce expressions on their faces. These bears are one half face and one half body. Three sets of two grooves encircle the body of the jar. Very fine vertical lines appear on the body as if the potter tried to give the piece a finish cleanup by applying a wet cloth (perhaps a brush) for the last few turns on the wheel. However, in the end, he left us a few of his fingerprints. Small root tracery is evident from the piece's 2,000 year rest underground. One bear foot is chipped and it looks recent, probably happening during excavation. - $325.00

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CH2. 12" high, mouth (rim to rim) 3", 4 1/2" diameter at base, bears 2" high. This piece is quite monumental. There is a bold flare of the body so that the walls come nearly flush with the roof eave. The very graphic bear feet rake outward, lending an hourglass shape to the overall piece. The roof bears two concentric grooves that are meant to represent three tile courses. Also on the roof are three prominent kiln spurs caused by the stacking of multiple pieces at firing. These three spurs are located at the top of the second tile course and correspond to where the tripod feet of a similar piece would rest were the pieces stacked. This piece bears a beautiful green glaze that has become finely crackled. The lighter areas in the image are caused by areas of adhering dried mud. We never remove these adhesions and advise that subsequent owners also resist the urge to "clean" the piece in any way. The potter's fingerprints are evident on the base of the piece. - $295.00 Follow this link to another view of this piece. Follow this link to another view of this piece. Follow this link to another view of this piece.

CH4. Clay Model of a Granary, late Han . Note the representation of a long ladder to the loft and cross-hatching that probably represents venting. 10" to roof peak, 3"x4 1/2" at base, roof overhang 1/2" at sides 1" at ends. There are two areas of damage to the roof. That at rear, left appears historic, perhaps when the piece was placed in the grave or from long ago root damage. That at front, right is more recent, probably occuring at excavation. - $295.00 Follow this link to another view of this piece. Follow this link to another view of this piece.

CH6. 12" high, 5.5" , diameter at base, 7" at shoulder, 2.5" diameter of mouth. The granary features a domed top but it does not have the squat appearance that most examples of this sub-group possess. It has a milk-chocolate glaze that extends from inside the mouth to the base and about half way down the bear feet. The lower half on one of the feet had broken off and was reattached. Two single grooves encircle the body, one half way up, the other 1" below the shoulder. 1/2" up from the base is a bung hole for gravity feed of milled grain. On the top of the piece are three kiln spurs that correspond in placement to the tripod bear feet. Just below the shoulder is one glaze void that was probably caused by placement against another piece in the kiln. Finger or palm prints appear on the piece's base. - $265.00 Follow this link to another view of this piece. Follow this link to another view of this piece. Follow this link to another view of this piece.

CH9. 11" high, 6" diameter at base, 3/4" roof overhang. The green glaze on this piece has oxidized. This roof explicitely displays both external and internal construction. The round mouth is enclosed in a ring from which emanate four oblique ribs. Each of the spaces formed by the ribs is divided off by five parallel ribs. Between the parallel ribs are representations of curved tile ends. The larger four ribs probably represent internal roof ridges and the parallel ribs indicate internal rafters. This piece has a straight cylindrical body adorned by three sets of double grooves. The bear tripod feet are well detailed. - $325.00 Follow this link to another view of this piece. Follow this link to another view of this piece. Follow this link to another view of this piece.

CH10. 14" high, 4" at square base, 5" wide, 3 1/2" at rimmed mouth. This granary jar represents either an evolutionary step or, perhaps, a deadend in the design evolution of granary vessels. It shares some common characteristics with other jars with its straight cylindrical shape and the symmetrical division of the body by means of grooves into standard measures. The unusual feature of this specimen is its square base, which makes for more stability given the piece's unusual height. The base's four corners have been chamfered, so that its form is octagonal. The sides are 4 1/2" long. The bevelled corners or sides vary in length, two being 3/4" long, while the other two are 1/2" long. This base is not of uniform thickness, the maximum being a little less than an inch to 3/4". We have seen this squared off base only on this "sleeve" jar form. - $225.00 Follow this link to another view of this piece. Follow this link to another view of this piece.

CH11. This granary is a bit more voluptuous than those that precede it here. 11" high, 9" at the shoulder, 5" at its base and 3 3/4" across its rimmed mouth. It's green glaze has oxidised and displays small root tracery, both conditions resulting from its 2000 year hibernation. There are a couple of chips on the body, one recent, the other historic. - $295.00

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CH 12. 9" high, 4" wide, 3 3/4" at the base, 2" at the mouth which is beveled as if to receive a tight fitting cover. This is a smaller version of the "domed" jars, but this one bears encised decoration. Something with a pattern was pressed into the soft clay prior to firing. It may not be so much decorative as utilitarian, providing a knurled surface for a better grip of the jar. It is possible that its use involved liquids or perhaps the vessel was subject to condensation. There are four measure scribes and a bung hole. - $195.00

CH13. This is another piece with a milk chocolate glaze. It is of the overt roof group, but simplified, exhibiting just four internal construction members. 12" high, 8" wide at shoulder, 5 1/2" at the base, and 3" at the rimmed mouth. The piece's bear feet are nicely detailed. Fingerprints appear on the back of the feet from when they were applied to the base of the jar. - $310.00

CH14. We should have saved "monumental" and like "a Sumo wrestler" for this piece. It is 12 1/2" high, 10" at the shoulder, has a roof diameter of 13", 1 1/4" roof overhang, and is 6" at the base. The roof is cracked. (see photo), The faithful depiction of the expansive roof showing both internal and external construction and roof tiles, gives this jar a wonderful sense of grandeur. - $295.00.

CH17. 13" high, 10" wide, 5 1/2" at the base, 4 1/2" at the rimmed mouth. Maybe we should have saved "voluptuous for this piece. It not only has the curves but it also has a green glaze that has great depth. The glaze is so beautiful that at first glance we thought it was new. Then we found enough oxidation, kiln spur voids, lovely crackling and darking of the glaze at kiln spurs to doubt it no more. The piece is cracked, so much so that a dull "thunk" is heard when the piece is tapped. But, nothing and noone are perfect. and we have priced this lovely piece accordingly. - $225.00.