Of elongated proportion and exquisite potting, the flask is slender and elegant. It is an ovoid body surmounted on one side by a straight cylindrical neck that opens up to an everted rolled mouth. From the neck the rope-shaped handle sweeps down in a curve to the shoulder on another side. The body tapers down towards a spreading foot ring. A rich yellow glaze is applied to the flask to just short of the foot. This form of ceramic was popular during the Liao dynasty (907-1125), established by the Khitan, an ethnic group in northern China. It was essentially an imitation of a kind of leather water vase 'pinanghu' used by the Khitan.'

Asian Art Department, 27 April 2004.