Page 76 - Lieber Collection Chinese Art

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SIX GLAZED STONEWARE ARCHITECTURAL TILES, MING DYNASTY, the rectangular tiles forming two
friezes well modeled and carved in varying relief, applied with yellow, green, and white glazes, the first depicting a fierce dragon, the
expressive face with bulging eyes and knitted brows, craning back towards its tail, the writhing body with well-defined, incised crescent
scales and raised green filaments of flames flanking the limbs; the other tiles forming a phoenix in flight, the head raised back towards
the tail plumes trailing behind and mingling with the dense green foliage background, the mythical bird flanked by two massive yellow
peony blossoms with white-tipped petals and green centers (6)
ᬻ ̶ᒖ⾬㟞咺删㈸෮⸇ښУ
Height of each tile 14¼ in., 36.2 cm; Width 22 in., 56 cm
$ 80,000-120,000

Skilfully modeled and vibrantly glazed, these large ceramic tiles represent a group of dynamic sculptural
components that adorned some of the most ambitious architecture during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).
Stoneware tiles sculpted with auspicious symbols and mythical creatures were extensively utilized in
imperial palaces and temples, such as along roof ridges, not only to serve a decorative purpose, but also
to convey specific symbolic messages and to ward off evildoers. The writhing dragon on the present lot,
vividly represented traversing peonies and foliage, symbolizes wisdom and power and is believed to possess
the talismanic power to frighten away evil spirits. Its harmonic counterpart, a lively phoenix sculpted with
crescent eyes and an elaborate crown flying amongst foliage, signifies immortality and resurrection. This
symbolic union of both mythical creatures in the current piece together reflects the deep-rooted Chinese
belief in the complementary powers of yin and yang.
Glazed tiles featuring a prominent four-clawed dragon and a gracefully rendered phoenix, both notable
emblems associated with the emperor and empress respectively, are testaments to the importance of the
location where it originally belonged. Stoneware tiles of such design are found on temples in Shanxi; see the
centrepieces on the front hall at Shuanglingsi temple, Shanxi, depicting flying dragons amongst foliage in
sancai glaze dated to 1499, illustrated in Clarence Eng, Colours and Contrasts. Ceramic Traditions in Chinese
Architecture, Leiden, 2015, pl. 4.79, together with a sancai-glazed centrepiece modeled with phoenixes, on the
Mituodian [Ambitabha Hall] at Guangshengsi Temple, Shanxi, pl. 4.67.
A pair of smaller sancai-glazed tilework panels decorated with two writhing dragons and immortals was sold
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at Christie’s New York, 15 September 2011, lot 1481. Compare also a set of fahua-type glazed ceramic tiles
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of larger sizes, molded with vigorous three-clawed dragons, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 23 March 1993,
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lot 583; and another smaller example sold at Christie’s New York, 3 June 1993, lot 218.

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