Brûle-parfum en porcelaine céladon Longquan. Chine, dynastie Song (960-1279) - Photo Sotheby's

reposant sur trois petits pieds, la panse bombée rehaussée de trois fines arêtes en relief, le col droit terminé par une bordure plate accueillant un couvercle en argent finement ajouré de motifs géométriques, boîte japonaise en bois (4); 14,4 cm, 5 5/8  in. Estimation: 35,000 - 45,000 EUR. Lot. Vendu 42,750 EUR

PROVENANCE: Acquired in 1939 in Japan. 

NOTE DE CATALOGUE: The form of the present censer derives from an archaic bronze vessel form known as li. With the revival of archaic bronze shapes in the Song Dynasty, this form was adapted into the repertoire of the Song potter. Its simple lines wereenhanced by the unctuous celadon glaze, and censers of this shape from the Longquan kilns were particularly sought after in Japan where until this day they are an integral part of the Japanese tea ceremony. Compare similar examples illustrated, for instance, in Yutaka Mino and K. Tsiang, Ice and Green Clouds: Traditions of Chinese Celadon, Indianapolis, 1986, p. 196, no. 79, and John Ayers, The Baur Collection: Chinese Ceramics, vol. I, Geneva, 1972, no.A99.

Sotheby's. Arts d'Asie. Paris | 18 déc. 2012, www.sothebys.com