A brilliantly characterful early 20th century Chinese sancai-style glazed pottery vessel in the form of a squat mythical beast, part lion-dog guardian, part pack animal. The body is hand modelled with stylised mane and curled haunches, with a raised spout formed from the tail, applied ears/horns and a comical open mouth to the front. Classic sancai-inspired palette of honey amber and green over an earthenware body with visible age crazing. The opening at the top suggests it once had a fitted lid, now missing, so it now lives best as a sculptural / altar / cabinet of curiosities piece rather than a functional pot.

There is wear and old firing irregularity typical of this type, glaze skips and firing lines around the feet and base, surface cracks to the glaze, small nibbles and losses around the lower edge where it’s been moved and handled for decades, and a chip/loss around the rim where the lid would have sat. The base is unglazed and shows nice honest age. No modern repairs in sight. It displays incredibly well — it’s got that slightly feral, slightly funny “temple guardian meets traveller’s camel” vibe that sits perfectly with maximalist, old-Asia, folklore-heavy interiors.

Height is approximately 12 cm, which is about 4.75 inches. Overall length nose-to-tail spout is approximately 16 cm, which is about 6.25 inches. Depth is roughly 6 cm, about 2.4 inches.