Ancient Chinese, Tang Dynasty Terracotta Rare and Well-Modeled Amber-Glazed Pottery Camel. TL Tested - 45 cm
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 8,800 - € 9,700
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Ancient Chinese Tang Dynasty amber-glazed terracotta camel, 45 cm high and 30 cm wide, dating to the 8th century AD, TL tested.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
TANG DYNASTY (618–907)
Provenance:
-Private Collection, The Netherlands, acquired before the 1990s.
-Oxford thermoluminescence test with number 666c62, 27th May 1992!
Height: 45 cm
Width: 30 cm
-Premium Authenticity Guarantee – Becker Antiques (Established 1966)
This is a high-value artwork, selected with the utmost care by Becker Antiques, a gallery founded in 1966 and based in a historic five-storey mansion in Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter.
Every premium piece we offer undergoes a rigorous authentication process based on nearly 60 years of specialist expertise. This includes:
• Detailed stylistic and typological analysis
• Assessment of condition, surface, and age-related characteristics
• Comparative research with museum and literature examples
We guarantee that this object is genuine, original, and exactly as described, with no modern, altered, or assembled elements unless clearly mentioned in the listing.
Becker Antiques is trusted by museums, collectors, and institutions worldwide. Each premium item is chosen for its authenticity, historical integrity, and exceptional quality.
For serious collectors or institutions wishing to receive additional documentation, we are always happy to assist.
-Scientific Authentication – TL Test
This pottery item has been authenticated using Thermoluminescence Testing (TL), the internationally recognized scientific method for dating fired ceramic materials.
The TL analysis confirms that:
• The pottery body was fired in antiquity
• The material corresponds to the stated historical period
• No modern firing or reconstruction is detected (unless noted)
A copy of the TL report (including test number, graph, and laboratory details) accompanies the object and is available for review upon request.
TL testing provides independent scientific verification and is an important standard used by museums and serious collectors worldwide.
This impressive pottery camel stands with a proud and animated presence, its long neck gracefully arched and the head lifted in a characteristic bray. The sculptor has achieved a lively sense of movement in the powerful stance, the legs set firmly on a rectangular base and the torso subtly modeled to suggest both strength and natural weight. The overall form is harmonious and confidently executed, reflecting the artistic vitality of the Tang dynasty at its height.
The camel is covered in a rich amber glaze, applied with exceptional evenness and clarity. The glaze descends in lustrous sheets across the shoulders, torso, and legs, pooling gently in recessed areas to create tonal depth. This warm honey-brown coloration is among the most desirable of Tang glazes, prized for its translucency and jewel-like surface. The technical virtuosity required for such results—precise kiln temperatures, controlled atmosphere, and high-quality pigments—distinguishes glazed figures as luxury objects within the broader corpus of mingqi tomb sculpture.
Compared with unglazed figures, which rely solely on the modelling for their effect, glazed examples such as the present camel represent a higher level of workshop production. Unglazed pottery mingqi, though common, lack the depth, sheen, and dramatic visual impact achieved through glaze. Amber-glazed and sancai-glazed figures required more complex firing processes, greater resources, and were made for more affluent patrons. The present piece thus stands firmly within the category of higher-status tomb figures, its glaze indicating both superior craftsmanship and elevated social significance.
The saddle is particularly engaging, rendered in a contrasting creamy-white glaze that provides a striking visual balance against the body. The saddle blanket is modeled in generous folds, its rounded contours suggesting thick padding secured over the camel’s twin humps. The drapery is subtly incised, and the sculpted mass of the packed load displays characteristic Tang attention to realistic detail. Such saddled camels evoke the bustling trade caravans of the Silk Road, where Bactrian camels played an essential role in transporting goods between China and Central Asia. Their presence in Tang tombs symbolized wealth, cosmopolitanism, and the far-reaching connections of the empire.
The surface of the figure presents well, with expected burial accretions and age-related wear consistent with a piece of the period. The amber glaze retains a soft, glossy patina, enhancing the sculptural contours and adding depth to the modelling. The Oxford thermoluminescence test, dated May 1992, supports the dating of the figure to the Tang dynasty.
The present camel is an appealing example of Tang ceramic sculpture, notable for its elegant proportions, expressive posture, and the fine quality of its glaze. Its combination of strong modelling, rich amber coloration, and well-defined saddle make it a particularly attractive and representative work of the period.
Condition
Very good overall, with expected surface wear and pigment loss consistent with burial.
Guarantee
Guaranteed to be Tang Dynasty, legally acquired and legal to buy and sell under all applicable cultural patrimony laws. A Certificate of Authenticity from Becker Antiques, Amsterdam (specialists in Chinese pottery since 1966), accompanies the piece.
Shipping
The figure will be professionally packed and dispatched in a custom wooden crate within three working days, shipped by FedEx of DHL with full insurance.
Seller's Story
Becker Antiques (Established 1966)
Founded in 1966 by Jan Simon Becker, Becker Antiques is one of the most respected and established dealers in Asian art in the Netherlands. Our gallery is housed in a stunning five-storey mansion built in 1891, located in Amsterdam’s prestigious Museum Quarter (Oud-Zuid), just minutes from the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the renowned Royal Concert Hall, “Koninklijk Concertgebouw.”
For nearly 60 years, we have specialized in high-quality and fully authentic works of art from China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and other classical cultures. Our main areas of expertise include:
Han–Ming dynasty pottery and tomb figures
Chinese bronzes, Buddhist sculptures, and ritual objects
Stone and wooden sculptures from Asia
Japanese and Southeast Asian artworks
Qing dynasty furniture and scholar’s items
Every object we offer is carefully selected for authenticity, originality, and historical importance. All items are guaranteed to be as described, supported by decades of specialist knowledge and connoisseurship.
Becker Antiques is trusted by museums, private collectors, and dealers worldwide. We take pride in offering not only genuine works of art, but also the integrity, expertise, and transparency that have defined our gallery for almost six decades.
For any questions, we are always happy to assist.
Legal Notice – Intellectual Property & Authenticity
All descriptions, texts, and seller information provided under the Becker Antiques profile on Catawiki constitute original intellectual property.
No part of these descriptions or seller statements may be copied, reproduced, or adapted—whether in whole or in part—without prior written permission from Becker Antiques.
Becker Antiques is the sole author and copyright holder of all seller texts used in our listings. Unauthorized use or imitation of our content, structure, or professional statements may constitute infringement under EU copyright law and may be reported to Catawiki as a violation of seller terms and misleading commercial practice.
All objects offered by Becker Antiques are guaranteed to be authentic and as described. We do not sell assembled, altered, or modern reproductions unless explicitly stated.
TANG DYNASTY (618–907)
Provenance:
-Private Collection, The Netherlands, acquired before the 1990s.
-Oxford thermoluminescence test with number 666c62, 27th May 1992!
Height: 45 cm
Width: 30 cm
-Premium Authenticity Guarantee – Becker Antiques (Established 1966)
This is a high-value artwork, selected with the utmost care by Becker Antiques, a gallery founded in 1966 and based in a historic five-storey mansion in Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter.
Every premium piece we offer undergoes a rigorous authentication process based on nearly 60 years of specialist expertise. This includes:
• Detailed stylistic and typological analysis
• Assessment of condition, surface, and age-related characteristics
• Comparative research with museum and literature examples
We guarantee that this object is genuine, original, and exactly as described, with no modern, altered, or assembled elements unless clearly mentioned in the listing.
Becker Antiques is trusted by museums, collectors, and institutions worldwide. Each premium item is chosen for its authenticity, historical integrity, and exceptional quality.
For serious collectors or institutions wishing to receive additional documentation, we are always happy to assist.
-Scientific Authentication – TL Test
This pottery item has been authenticated using Thermoluminescence Testing (TL), the internationally recognized scientific method for dating fired ceramic materials.
The TL analysis confirms that:
• The pottery body was fired in antiquity
• The material corresponds to the stated historical period
• No modern firing or reconstruction is detected (unless noted)
A copy of the TL report (including test number, graph, and laboratory details) accompanies the object and is available for review upon request.
TL testing provides independent scientific verification and is an important standard used by museums and serious collectors worldwide.
This impressive pottery camel stands with a proud and animated presence, its long neck gracefully arched and the head lifted in a characteristic bray. The sculptor has achieved a lively sense of movement in the powerful stance, the legs set firmly on a rectangular base and the torso subtly modeled to suggest both strength and natural weight. The overall form is harmonious and confidently executed, reflecting the artistic vitality of the Tang dynasty at its height.
The camel is covered in a rich amber glaze, applied with exceptional evenness and clarity. The glaze descends in lustrous sheets across the shoulders, torso, and legs, pooling gently in recessed areas to create tonal depth. This warm honey-brown coloration is among the most desirable of Tang glazes, prized for its translucency and jewel-like surface. The technical virtuosity required for such results—precise kiln temperatures, controlled atmosphere, and high-quality pigments—distinguishes glazed figures as luxury objects within the broader corpus of mingqi tomb sculpture.
Compared with unglazed figures, which rely solely on the modelling for their effect, glazed examples such as the present camel represent a higher level of workshop production. Unglazed pottery mingqi, though common, lack the depth, sheen, and dramatic visual impact achieved through glaze. Amber-glazed and sancai-glazed figures required more complex firing processes, greater resources, and were made for more affluent patrons. The present piece thus stands firmly within the category of higher-status tomb figures, its glaze indicating both superior craftsmanship and elevated social significance.
The saddle is particularly engaging, rendered in a contrasting creamy-white glaze that provides a striking visual balance against the body. The saddle blanket is modeled in generous folds, its rounded contours suggesting thick padding secured over the camel’s twin humps. The drapery is subtly incised, and the sculpted mass of the packed load displays characteristic Tang attention to realistic detail. Such saddled camels evoke the bustling trade caravans of the Silk Road, where Bactrian camels played an essential role in transporting goods between China and Central Asia. Their presence in Tang tombs symbolized wealth, cosmopolitanism, and the far-reaching connections of the empire.
The surface of the figure presents well, with expected burial accretions and age-related wear consistent with a piece of the period. The amber glaze retains a soft, glossy patina, enhancing the sculptural contours and adding depth to the modelling. The Oxford thermoluminescence test, dated May 1992, supports the dating of the figure to the Tang dynasty.
The present camel is an appealing example of Tang ceramic sculpture, notable for its elegant proportions, expressive posture, and the fine quality of its glaze. Its combination of strong modelling, rich amber coloration, and well-defined saddle make it a particularly attractive and representative work of the period.
Condition
Very good overall, with expected surface wear and pigment loss consistent with burial.
Guarantee
Guaranteed to be Tang Dynasty, legally acquired and legal to buy and sell under all applicable cultural patrimony laws. A Certificate of Authenticity from Becker Antiques, Amsterdam (specialists in Chinese pottery since 1966), accompanies the piece.
Shipping
The figure will be professionally packed and dispatched in a custom wooden crate within three working days, shipped by FedEx of DHL with full insurance.
Seller's Story
Becker Antiques (Established 1966)
Founded in 1966 by Jan Simon Becker, Becker Antiques is one of the most respected and established dealers in Asian art in the Netherlands. Our gallery is housed in a stunning five-storey mansion built in 1891, located in Amsterdam’s prestigious Museum Quarter (Oud-Zuid), just minutes from the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the renowned Royal Concert Hall, “Koninklijk Concertgebouw.”
For nearly 60 years, we have specialized in high-quality and fully authentic works of art from China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and other classical cultures. Our main areas of expertise include:
Han–Ming dynasty pottery and tomb figures
Chinese bronzes, Buddhist sculptures, and ritual objects
Stone and wooden sculptures from Asia
Japanese and Southeast Asian artworks
Qing dynasty furniture and scholar’s items
Every object we offer is carefully selected for authenticity, originality, and historical importance. All items are guaranteed to be as described, supported by decades of specialist knowledge and connoisseurship.
Becker Antiques is trusted by museums, private collectors, and dealers worldwide. We take pride in offering not only genuine works of art, but also the integrity, expertise, and transparency that have defined our gallery for almost six decades.
For any questions, we are always happy to assist.
Legal Notice – Intellectual Property & Authenticity
All descriptions, texts, and seller information provided under the Becker Antiques profile on Catawiki constitute original intellectual property.
No part of these descriptions or seller statements may be copied, reproduced, or adapted—whether in whole or in part—without prior written permission from Becker Antiques.
Becker Antiques is the sole author and copyright holder of all seller texts used in our listings. Unauthorized use or imitation of our content, structure, or professional statements may constitute infringement under EU copyright law and may be reported to Catawiki as a violation of seller terms and misleading commercial practice.
All objects offered by Becker Antiques are guaranteed to be authentic and as described. We do not sell assembled, altered, or modern reproductions unless explicitly stated.
Details
Culture
Ancient Chinese, Tang Dynasty
Century/ Timeframe
8th century AD
Name of object
Rare and Well-Modeled Amber-Glazed Pottery Camel. TL Tested
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2025
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
Germany
Condition
Very good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
45 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1992
Width
30 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
