A large Longquan celadon jar, Early Ming Dynasty. Photo: Bonhams.

Heavily potted with broad shoulders tapering down to a recessed circular base and surmounted by a short slightly flared neck, decorated with a large band of panels enclosing caoshu characters interspersed by leafy fruiting branches, including peach, lychee and pomegranate, all above a tall band of narrow lotus petals, the sides flanked by a pair of monster-mask handles, covered overall in a pale green glaze, pierced wood cover surmounted by a carved white and brown jade 'dragon' finial, wood stand and cover. 42cm high overall. (3). Estimate HK$ 350,000 - 450,000 (€33,000 - 43,000). Unsold.

Provenance : A South American private collection

Longquan wares first appeared in the Song Dynasty and were produced in the southwestern part of Zhejiang province. Its glossy, rich, greenish glaze garnered much attention, especially towards the Ming Dynasty. It is recorded that in the year 1393, Taizu year, the first Emperor of Ming Dynasty specially commissioned for some court vessels to be produced at both the Longquan kilns and Jingdezhen kilns, where signifies the parallel importance of both these kilns to the Imperial court. It is also stated that during his reign, eunuchs were sent periodically to these kilns to oversee and supervise the manufacture of ceramics in these areas.

The current lot is rare and unique in its unusually well-moulded decorative motifs. The four-character kaishu inscription reads qingxiang meijiu, which literally translates as 'fresh and fragrant fine wine'. No doubt, the current lot would have been primarily used for making rice wine or niangjiu. The depiction of the Three Abundances which includes peaches, pomegranates and lychees would have not only complimented the theme but also further enhanced the visual aesthetics of the current lot. The importance of the current piece is also signified by other intensively worked mythical beast ring handles, floral diaper grounds, leaf lappets and geometric patterns.

An early Ming Dynasty Longquan jar, also decorated with moulded fruiting branches above lotus petals, but interspersed with flowers instead of characters, is currently housed in the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, and is illustrated in Green-Longquan Celadon of the Ming Dynasty, Taipei, 2011, pp.232-233, pl.127. See also another closely related jar, moulded with fruiting branches and characters, sold in Christie's Hong Kong, 29 May 2007, lot 1474. A further smaller example, decorated only with large leafy lotus blooms, with a similarly decorated cover, is in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, illustrated by Margaret Medley, The Chinese Potter, A Practical History of Chinese Ceramics, Oxford, 1976, p.149, no.110.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART. Hong Kong, Admiralty, 26 May 2014 14:00 HKT -http://www.bonhams.com/