Lot 3123. A massive Longquan celadon vase, Yuan dynasty  (1279-1368); 69 cm., 27 1/8 in. Estimation 400,000-600,000 HKD (39,143 — 58,715 EUR). Lot sold 500,000 HKD (48,929 EUR).  Photo Sotheby's

robustly potted, the tapering ovoid body rising from a waisted circular foot to a trumpet neck, the decoration deftly incised in two registers split by a central fillet raised along the luting line, the lower section with scrolling composite flowers above a broad ribbed band skirting the waist, a large lotus scroll draping the shoulders, surmounted by plantain leaves collaring the neck and four concentric circles in relief under the everted rim, applied overall except for the footrim with a glossy deep green glaze, the recessed base with a glazed domed centre.  

NOTE: A closely related example, inscribed and dated to 1454, from the collection of Sir Percival David and now in the British Museum, London, is published in Margaret Medley, Illustrated Catalogue of Celadon Wares in the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, London, 1997, pl. 238. Slightly smaller examples include one from the Carl Kempe collection and now in the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, published in Oriental Ceramics. The World's Great Collections, vol. 8, Tokyo, 1982, pl. 188; another sold in these rooms, 27th October 1992, lot 25; and a third sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 23rd March 1993, lot 724. Vases of this type, but carved with a chrysanthemum scroll on the shoulder, include one included in the exhibition Gems of Chinese Art. Selections of Chinese Ceramics and Bronzes from the Tsui Art Foundation, The Empress Palace Museum, Singapore, 1992, cat. no. 68, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27th May 2008, lot 1842; and another sold in these rooms, 29th November 1976, lot 445

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. Hong Kong | 04 avr. 2012