拍賣筆記 vol.428 佳士得香港2020：18.75萬港元售出，唐三彩褐釉陶豬，埃斯肯納齊 - Sotheby’s 2026, Okada Sales Part 2, A Chestnut-Glazed Pottery Figure Of A Boar, Tang Dynasty, Sold for HKD 187,500

18.75萬港元售出，唐三彩褐釉陶豬

唐三彩野豬題材與唐三彩狗相仿，傳世皆屬罕見。岡田博物館專場第二部分之壓軸拍品暨圖錄封面，為一件尺寸逾20公分的唐三彩狗，無論就藝術表現抑或存世稀缺性而言，皆屬同類中之翹楚，業界藏家私下暱稱其為「狗王」。此一長期遭市場低估的唐三彩品類，近年似有全面重估之勢——若拍賣順利，「狗王」預估將以逾港幣三百萬元之高價落槌，甚至更高。此舉勢必帶動整體市場對唐三彩品類重新認識，並形成新一輪的傳播效應。

事實上，不僅唐三彩狗存世絕對數量稀少，其他品類如野豬，亦將隨之進入藏家關注視野。此件唐三彩豬於2020年、市場價格猶處低谷之際易手，成交價約港幣二十萬元。倘若2026年9月4日岡田博物館「狗王」能以高價順利成交，此一品類料將迎來實質性的價值重估。

可另參照東京國立博物館所藏一件形制相近之唐三彩褐釉陶豬——見《唐代筆記》第41期〈東京國立博物館：唐三彩褐釉豬〉（TNM, Sancai Brown-Glazed Pig, Tang Dynasty）。亦可參照日本知名古董商浦上蒼穹堂主人浦上滿先生舊藏一例，其通體釉色自首至尾自然垂流，宛若於疾風驟雨中奮力前行，氣韻生動，別具風骨。

東京國立博物館，唐三彩褐釉豬

浦上蒼穹堂主人浦上滿先生舊藏 唐三彩褐釉野豬

唐三彩褐釉陶豬

TANG DYNASTY (618-907)

成交價

港元 187,500

估價

港元 50,000 – 港元 80,000

拍品終止拍賣: 

2020年7月9日

8.¼ in. (21 cm.) wide

18.75萬港元售出，唐三彩褐釉陶豬

來源

埃斯肯納齊，倫敦

出版

Eskenazi Ltd., London, March 1972, Catalogue, no. 31

此器經牛津熱釋光測年法測試〈測試編號C114k9，2014年10月13日〉，證實與本圖錄之定年符合。

唐三彩野豬與「狗王」拍賣 常見問題 FAQ

Q1：什麼是唐三彩？為何具有收藏價值？

唐三彩是唐代（618-907年）流行的低溫鉛釉陶器，以黃、綠、白（或加褐、藍）等釉色交融流淌著稱，主要用於隨葬明器，題材包括人物俑、動物俑及生活器皿。由於燒製溫度較低、胎質較脆，歷經千年保存不易，加上早年多作為明器並未被視為「藝術品」對待，因此傳世精品相對稀少，近年隨著學術研究深入與市場認知提升，逐漸受到藏家重新重視。

Q1: What is Tang Sancai, and why is it collectible?

Tang Sancai ("three-colour Tang ware") refers to low-fired, lead-glazed earthenware popular during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), characterised by the flowing, intermingling glazes—typically amber, green, and cream (sometimes with brown or blue accents). Originally produced as tomb furnishings, these wares depicted figures, animals, and vessels. Owing to their low firing temperature and fragile body, few pieces have survived intact over the centuries, and for a long period they were not regarded as fine art. Renewed scholarly research and shifting market perception have led collectors to reassess their value in recent years.

Q2：什麼是「狗王」？為何備受矚目？

「狗王」是藏家對岡田博物館拍賣專場第二部分封面拍品——一件尺寸超過20公分的唐三彩狗——的暱稱。此器無論在造型的生動性、釉色的表現力，或存世量的稀缺性上，皆屬唐三彩狗題材中的頂尖之作，因此在藏家圈中獲得「狗王」之美譽，也是本次拍賣最受矚目的焦點拍品。

Q2: What is the "King of Dogs," and why is it significant?

"King of Dogs" is the collectors' nickname for the cover lot of Part II of the Okada Museum sale—a Tang Sancai dog figure exceeding 20 cm in size. The piece stands out for the vivacity of its modelling, the expressive quality of its glaze, and its rarity among surviving examples of Tang Sancai dogs, earning it this affectionate title and making it the sale's headline lot.

Q3：唐三彩狗題材為何稀有？

唐三彩動物俑題材以馬、駱駝、鎮墓獸等大型器物較為常見，狗（犬）題材因體型較小、燒製與保存難度不同，加上過去未受市場特別重視，傳世數量遠低於馬、駝等主流題材，因此相對稀缺，長期處於價格低估狀態。

Q3: Why are Tang Sancai dog figures so rare?

Among Tang Sancai animal figures, horses, camels, and tomb guardian beasts are relatively common, while dog figures—owing to their smaller scale, differing firing and preservation challenges, and historically limited market attention—survive in far fewer numbers than these mainstream subjects. This relative scarcity has left the category chronically undervalued.

Q4：「狗王」預估成交價為多少？依據為何？

若拍賣順利，「狗王」預期將以超過港幣300萬元的價格成交，甚至更高。此預估主要基於：(1) 唐三彩狗題材存世量稀少；(2) 此件尺寸逾20公分，屬同類中較大者；(3) 藝術表現力突出；(4) 唐三彩品類近年整體市場關注度回升。惟拍賣結果仍取決於現場競投情況，實際成交價可能高於或低於此區間。

Q4: What is the estimated hammer price for the "King of Dogs"? On what basis?

Barring surprises, the "King of Dogs" is expected to achieve a hammer price in excess of HK$3 million, possibly higher. This estimate reflects: (1) the scarcity of surviving Tang Sancai dog figures; (2) the piece's size, exceeding 20 cm—large for the category; (3) its outstanding artistic quality; and (4) a broader resurgence of market interest in Tang Sancai ware. That said, the actual result will depend on live bidding, and the final price may fall above or below this range.

Q5：這場拍賣預計何時舉行？

岡田博物館專場拍賣預計於2026年9月4日舉行，「狗王」即為本場焦點拍品。

Q5: When is the auction scheduled to take place?

The Okada Museum sale is scheduled for 4 September 2026, with the "King of Dogs" as its centrepiece lot.

Q6：唐三彩野豬題材與「狗王」有何關聯？

唐三彩野豬（豬）題材與狗題材處境相似——皆屬存世量稀少、長期被市場低估的品類。文中提及的一件唐三彩豬於2020年、市場尚處低谷期時售出，成交價約港幣20萬元。若「狗王」於2026年9月4日的拍賣中順利以高價成交，將帶動整個唐三彩品類（包括野豬題材）的市場關注與價值重估，形成連動效應。

Q6: How does the Tang Sancai wild boar relate to the "King of Dogs"?

Tang Sancai wild boar (pig) figures occupy a similar position to dog figures—both survive in limited numbers and have long been undervalued by the market. The pig referenced here sold in 2020, when prices for the category were still at a low point, achieving approximately HK$200,000. Should the "King of Dogs" achieve a strong result at the 4 September 2026 sale, it is expected to generate renewed attention and a corresponding revaluation across the broader Tang Sancai category, including wild boar subjects.

Q7：是否有其他館藏或私人收藏的唐三彩豬可供參考比較？

有。可參照以下兩例：

1. 東京國立博物館藏品：一件形制相近的唐三彩褐釉陶豬，收錄於《唐代筆記》第41期〈東京國立博物館：唐三彩褐釉豬〉（TNM, Sancai Brown-Glazed Pig, Tang Dynasty）。

2. 浦上滿舊藏：來自日本著名古董商浦上蒼穹堂主人浦上滿先生的收藏，其特色在於通體釉色自首至尾自然垂流，宛若於疾風驟雨中奮力前行，氣韻生動，別具風骨。

Q7: Are there other museum or private examples of Tang Sancai pigs for comparison?

Yes, two notable examples:

1. Tokyo National Museum: A similar Sancai brown-glazed pottery pig, published in Tang Notes, Vol. 41: "Tokyo National Museum: Sancai Brown-Glazed Pig, Tang Dynasty" (TNM).

2. Formerly in the Uragami Collection: A piece formerly held by Mitsuru Uragami, proprietor of the renowned Japanese antiques dealer Uragami Sōkyū-dō, distinguished by glaze flowing naturally from head to tail across the body—evocative of a creature pressing forward through driving rain, full of vitality and character.

Q8：唐三彩品類近年市場走勢如何？未來展望為何？

唐三彩長期以來因產量相對較大（相較於官窯瓷器）、早期市場認知度不足,價格處於低估狀態。但隨著存世量稀少的特殊題材（如狗、豬等動物俑）逐漸被學術與市場重新梳理，加上重量級拍品（如「狗王」）樹立價格標竿，預期將帶動整體品類的認知提升與價值重估，形成新一輪的收藏熱潮。

Q8: What is the market outlook for Tang Sancai as a category?

Tang Sancai has historically been undervalued, owing to relatively larger production volumes (compared with imperial kiln wares) and limited early market awareness. However, as scarcer subject types—such as dog and pig figures—receive renewed scholarly and market attention, and as landmark lots like the "King of Dogs" establish new price benchmarks, the category as a whole is expected to see growing recognition and a corresponding revaluation, potentially fuelling a new wave of collecting interest.

A CHESTNUT-GLAZED POTTERY FIGURE OF A BOAR

TANG DYNASTY (618-907)

Price realised

HKD 187,500

Estimate

HKD 50,000 – HKD 80,000

Closed: 

9 Jul 2020

A CHESTNUT-GLAZED POTTERY FIGURE OF A BOAR

TANG DYNASTY (618-907)

The boar is naturalistically modelled standing foursquare on short legs on a rectangular base with head facing forward and short tail flicked to one side. It is incised with hair markings. All is covered with a chestnut-brown glaze falling to the base around the hooves. The base is unglazed.

8.¼ in. (21 cm.) wide

PROVENANCE

Eskenazi Ltd., London

LITERATURE

Eskenazi Ltd., London, March 1972, Catalogue, no. 31

The subject matter of Tang Sancai wild boars, much like that of Tang Sancai dogs, survives only in limited numbers. The centrepiece and cover lot of Part II of the Okada Museum sale is a Tang Sancai dog exceeding 20 cm in size — a work of exceptional artistic merit and rarity, affectionately dubbed the "King of Dogs" by connoisseurs. This long-undervalued category of Sancai ware appears poised for a comprehensive revaluation in recent years: barring any surprises, the "King of Dogs" is expected to hammer for over HK$3 million, quite possibly more. Such a result would undoubtedly generate renewed market recognition and broader visibility for the Sancai dog category as a whole.

Indeed, it is not only Sancai dogs that survive in scant numbers — other categories, such as wild boars, are also beginning to draw collectors' attention. This particular Sancai pig sold in 2020, during a period when prices for the category remained at a low ebb, achieving a hammer price of approximately HK$200,000. Should the "King of Dogs" achieve a strong result at the Okada Museum sale on 4 September 2026, this category too stands to see a meaningful uplift in value.

For comparison, see a similar Sancai brown-glazed pottery pig in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum — as featured in Tang Notes, Vol. 41: "Tokyo National Museum: Sancai Brown-Glazed Pig, Tang Dynasty" (TNM). See also a further example formerly in the collection of Mitsuru Uragami, proprietor of the celebrated Japanese antiques dealer Uragami Sōkyū-dō, its glaze flowing naturally from head to tail across the body, evocative of a creature pressing forward through driving rain — full of vitality and character.

Lot Essay

Compare a similar example dated to the eighth century from the Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection at the Seattle Art Museum, Washington, which is illustrated by W. Watson, Tang and Liao Ceramics, New York, 1984, p. 201, fig. 221. Also, compare one illustrated by E. Scholoss, Ancient Chinese Ceramic Sculpture: From Han through Tang, Stanford, 1977, vol. 1, p. 76, fig. 12; and one in the Tokyo National Museum, illustrated in Sekai toji zenshu, Japan, 1976, vol. 11, col. Pl. 194. A similar amber and straw-glazed figure of a boar was sold at Christie’s New York, 20 March 2001, lot 125.

The result of Oxford Authentication thermoluminescence test no. C114k9 (13 October 2014) is consistent with the dating of this lot.