A 'Longquan' celadon 'Luduan' censer and cover, Ming dynasty. Estimate 6,000 — 8,000 USD. Photo Sotheby's.

stoutly potted, the well-rounded mythical creature supported on four short legs each with four claws, the sides carved with spiraling motifs issuing flames, a bell applied at the chest, and an upswept tail incised at the rear, the cover in the form of the animal's head, raised up, its characteristic curved horn at the top, with mouth agape baring teeth, with a fierce demeanor, applied overall with a lustrous grayish-green glaze, Japanese wood box. Height 7 1/2  in., 19 cm

Notes: Based on a metal prototype, ceramic versions of these figural censers are rare. A similar example from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Chia is illustrated in Chinese Celadons and Other Related Wares in Southeast Asia, Southeast Asian Ceramics Society, Singapore, 1979, cat. no 279, pl. 230. and later sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 5th November 1996, lot 655. For an example of a Ming dynasty prototype see The Second Bronze Age, Later Chinese Metalwork, Sydney L. Moss, Ltd, London, 1991, no. 18. 

Luduan, often mistakenly identified as qilin, are highly auspicious beasts known for their ability to detect the truth and travel great distances in a short time. For a full discussion on the subject accompanying a bronze Qing dynasty example of the form see Philip K. Hu, Later Chinese Bronzes, The Saint Louis Museum and Robert E. Kresko Collection, Saint Louis Art Museum, 2008, pp. 162-163, no. 34. 

Sotheby's. Chinese Art through the Eye of Sakamoto Gor – Ceramics, New York, 17 mars 2015, 10:00 AM