Yuan Dynasty Buddhist Pottery Zodiac Jar

Yuan Dynasty, c. 960–1368 AD, Yunnan Province, China

A rare and finely moulded Buddhist reliquary jar, complete with its original lid, dating to the Yuan Dynasty and excavated from a Buddhist site in Yunnan Province. The vessel features a piriform body rising from a short ring foot, made from a fairly high-fired pale grey pottery, with traces of white pigment still visible on both jar and cover. Such jars were originally filled with ritual offerings—coins, shells, flowers, and grains—and placed in temples or stupas as part of Buddhist consecration ceremonies.

The surface of the body is richly adorned with broad upright Bajiao (banana) leaves, an auspicious Buddhist floral motif symbolizing spiritual growth and purity. Around the upper body, moulded appliqués of human figures are interspersed with the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac on the lower register. In Buddhist cosmology, these twelve creatures are believed to have journeyed together to pay homage to the historical Buddha before his final nirvana, embodying the unity of the natural and spiritual worlds. Additional decoration includes incised wavy lines encircling the shoulder, while the convex lid—surmounted by a delicate conical knob—is cold-painted with geometric motifs in black and red pigments. On the underside of the lid, Sanskrit-style characters rendered in red pigment remain clearly visible. The vessel’s warm yellowish-brown surface coloration results from the iron-rich soils of Yunnan.

Excellent condition. Intact, there is no sign of restoration or repair. Small chip in the rim and surface wear consistent with age and use. Earthen deposits and multiple root marks present. Size approx. 23,3cm x 16,8cm x 16,5cm. 

Provenance: British private collection.