Large Chinese "Bronzed" Stoneware Double Gourd Scholar’s Vessel

Description

A striking marriage of form, philosophy, and ceramic mastery, this substantial stoneware vessel is modeled after the traditional Chinese double gourd (hulu)—a powerful symbol of longevity, prosperity, and a gateway to the immortal realms.

Seated along the upper bulb are two relaxed Daoist Immortals, effortlessly integrated into the natural contours of the gourd's vine, which twists upward to form an elegant decorative handle. The lower body serves as a canvas for the sacred text of the Mahayana Buddhist Heart Sutra (Xin Jing), dynamically incised by hand in a fluid running script (xingshu). Visible segments feature the seminal phrase "色即是空, 空即是色" (Form is emptiness, emptiness is form).

Crafted in the late 20th century, this piece honors the traditional scholarly aesthetic of Sanjiao Heyi (the harmony of the Three Teachings). To achieve its dramatic, antique presence, the heavy clay body was finished with a specialized, iron-rich metallic slip wash before firing, perfectly capturing the mottled, weathered patina of an archaic cast bronze. It is a commanding, highly tactile addition to the modern home or Asian art collection.

Product Features & Details

 Type: Chinese Scholar’s Style Decorative Pottery

 Motif: Daoist Immortals & Incised Buddhist Heart Sutra Text

 Material: Heavy, high-fired unglazed stoneware with a metallic iron-slip finish

 Period: Late 20th Century

 Dimensions: 13" H × 12.5" W × 8" D

 Weight: Heavy, substantial display presence (scale verified next to standard 12oz can in product gallery)

Condition Report

 Overall Condition: Very good vintage condition with an excellent, uniform structural body.

 Surface Wear: True to its age and medium, there are minor, superficial chips to the slip finish on the underside edge of the foot rim and the back of the figure's headdress (visible in detail photos). These minor flecks expose the lighter, raw clay matrix beneath, adding to the artifactual character of the piece without compromising its structural or visual integrity.