A year ago, my dealer/runner had lots of contacts who wanted to sell their ceramic finds. I wanted to get them all considering the quick rate of turnovers in this field. Unfortunately I hadn't got the cash to buy the lot. So I had a down-payment done and got this jar as partial purchase with the promise that I shall complete the deal in a few days time. Due to the fact that I had bitten off more than what I could chew, the deal collapsed and the rest of the lot was sold to other collectors. All I got was this. I paid I think $150 for the dragon jar which I find a bit steep which I shall later divulge.
This jar I believe is an earthenware jar made during the Age of Contact between China and Southeast Asia right about 9th to 15th century. Others would classify this as Martabana or Martaban jar which I feel may not have been brought over from Martaban, Burma. Most of the small decorated jars dug up in the Philippines were brought over from Fujian in Southern China. More similar jars can be found in
Valdez's A Thousand Years of Stoneware Jars.
The jar, measuring about 18 inches has a smooth brown glaze that extended on almost all of the base area. The body has a dragon design and several clouds at the periphery. There are 4 lugs on the neck. One was missing and was poorly restored. The base has a prominent potter's wheel mark.
Taking into account the form, the glaze and the overall structure, once can bravely put this as during the Ming Dynasty or even during the subsequent Interregnum. Song dynasty jars are usually plain and spartan in design whereas monochrome Ming jars are decorated usually with dragons. Although there are no cracks, more major repairs, I still feel that I could have gotten it at a lower price considering the restored lug. As they say,
"caveat emptor".
