Green glass flask, Tang dynasty

Liuli glass or crystal flask, green with a 'zigzag' design of yellow and white dots. The decoration is on the globular body and the elongated neck. The shape is irregular and shows wear from age. 

Liuli (琉璃) is a precious material that was introduced from ancient times via the Silk Road. In China it is considered as one of the most precious materials (gold, silver, jade, coloured enamel, ceramics and bronze), as one of the "Seven Treasures of Buddhism". The main component is lead-barium glass which, because of its risk, was used exclusively for decorative objects. The composition was obtained from the by-products of bronze smelting, which were refined and processed. There were more than thirty colours, including white, sky blue, sapphire blue, peacock blue, chicken fat yellow...).

Provenance: Important collection of Tommy Lam, Hong Kong, since 1980. 

Height: 10.5 cm; Weight: 99 g