Yellow-green glazed ewer features delicate decorations

This exquisitely decorated yellow-green glazed ewer from the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577) has an elongated body with a slender neck and a bulging belly.

A dragon-shaped handle is attached to the neck and shoulders, while a spout shaped like a chicken head sits on the opposite side. On the belly, three applied lugs are positioned on each side. Motifs of baoxianghua (precious appearance flower), tied lotus blossoms, and honeysuckle scrolls are added beneath the lugs, handle, and spout. Below a ridge on the lower belly, four phoenixes with spread wings are evenly placed.

Unearthed from the tomb of Xu Xianxiu (502-571) at Wangjiafeng village, Taiyuan, Shanxi province, this piece is now housed in the Shanxi Museum.