Lot 38. A Longquan celadon-glazed tripod censer, Ming Dynasty, 14th-15th Century. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016

The censer is supported on three feet and carved to the exterior with a wide band of lotus heads on scrolling leafy stems between two raised lines. The vessel is covered with an even celadon glaze, the base has a circular aperture covered with a partially glazed circular plug adhering to the interior. 9 in. (22.8 cm.) diam. It has light scratches and surface wear in keeping with its age to the exterior of the censor. Some light pitting. There are a few light glaze flakes and areas of glaze crawl that reveal the orange body. A miniscule nick to the extremity of one foot. There is some wear to the interior of the censor with banded areas of white discolouration to the surface. Estimation: USD 1,200 - 1,800

Note: Longquan wares refer to the Chinese celadon-glazed ceramics produced in southwestern Zhejiang province from the Song dynasty (960-1279) through to the Yuan dynasty (1260-1368) and the Ming dynasty (1364-1644). These ceramics were used at court and were much admired by the literati for their beautiful glazes, inspired by the unctuous celadon tones of jade. Longquan celadons were also traded with other nations including Europe. These ceramics were made in many shapes and the form of this censer is based on an archaic bronze. It is interesting to note that the interior of the censer shows a partially glazed plug that may have originally formed part of a saggar used in the kiln firing.

Literature: A slightly smaller Longquan censer of comparable form and decorated with a scrolling leafy design is in the National Palace Museum, Taipei and is illustrated in Green - Longquan Celadon of the Ming Dynasty, National Palace Museum, Taiwan, 2009, no. 124, p226.

Christie's on line. The Art of China.