Lot 3183. A large pair of Longquan celadon bottle vases, Ming dynasty, 17h century, 11 3/4 in. (30.2 cm.) high, box. Estimate HKD 600,000 - HKD 800,000 (USD 77,373 - USD 103,164) © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

 Each vase is sturdily potted with a pear-shaped body, decorated with a single bow string, raised on a low splayed ring foot. The waisted neck with a pair of mythical beast-head C-shaped handles, each suspending a circular ring. The glaze of a rich olive-green tone.

Note: Compare with a smaller vase of this shape and design, illustrated in Green-Longquan Celadon of the Ming Dynasty, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2009, p. 195, no. 103 (18.9 cm. high); where the author mentions a similar vase dating to 1566, excavated in Chengdu, Sichuan province.