An Exceptional and Rare Sancai and Blue-Glazed Pottery Figure of a Standing Lady Holding a Child, 稀世唐三彩藍釉貴婦抱子立像

China, 8th century, Tang dynasty ( 618-907 AD)

This elegantly modelled figure features a full, rounded face framed by a voluminous coiffure, with delicate features pencilled in black and cheeks softly blushed with rouge above a neck adorned with a necklace. Uniquely, the lady’s hands support a baby as an integral part of the original composition, distinguished by a vibrant glaze of green, amber, and rare blue splashes. While the term sancai literally translates to "three colours," the palette here encompasses a much wider range of hues, perfectly embodying the signature technique characterised by its rich, fluid application and naturally dappled distribution. The use of the highly coveted blue pigment on the sleeves and scarf further elevates the piece, showcasing the most sophisticated colour palette of the period.

Large, polychrome-glazed figures of Tang ladies are notably scarce, making this example particularly significant for its rare portrayal of a child. In contrast to the present work, many related figures from the Tang period are unglazed and typically depicted without attributes or holding birds; those appearing with other objects are frequently found to be later additions. This figure, supported on an oval base and accompanied by a Japanese wood storage box, stands as an exceptional rarity in both subject matter and glaze quality.

Tang Sancai Pottery

The Tang Dynasty represented the absolute pinnacle of China's imperial era; consequently, Tang Sancai reflects the politics, culture, and daily life of the Tang Empire from a unique perspective. Alongside the poetry, painting, and architecture of the period, it harmonised to create the overarching melody of Tang culture. However, it stands apart from other artistic mediums. In the context of modern ceramic history, Tang Sancai is considered a revolutionary milestone because, prior to the Tang, ceramics featured only monochromatic glazes or, at most, the simultaneous use of two colours. From the Tang Dynasty onwards, these multi-coloured glazes were applied to ceramic wares at once, a shift closely linked to significant transformations in the aesthetic sensibilities of the time. This included many foreign cultural influences, which, alongside developments in painting and goldsmithing, formed the characteristics of a brilliant culture.

Tang Sancai is a type of lead-based glaze with a relatively low melting point. The production process involves first biscuit-firing the clay body at approximately 1100°C. Subsequently, a colourless, transparent base glaze is applied; once fired, this reveals the white effect of the underlying clay. If the clay is red, a white "slip" must be applied to the body first. Various glazes in green, brown, yellow, and blue are then applied over the base glaze, and the piece is fired again at around 900°C. During this firing, the base glaze melts and intermingles with the coloured glazes applied above it, creating a vibrant, mottled effect.

Tang pottery embodies the era’s aesthetic of poised, elegant femininity while emphasising family continuity, and the use of sophisticated techniques and rare blue glazes highlights the immense material wealth and artistic mastery of the High Tang period.