Lot 1117. A rare incised yuezhou celadon leys jar, zhadou, Southern Dynasties-Sui dynasty, 6th century, 3 ½ in. (9 cm.) high. Estimate USD 6,000 - USD 8,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

The sloping shoulder is incised with bands of lotus petals above a band of stylized cloud motif, and the jar is covered inside and out with a finely crackled clear celadon glaze that stops above the base exposing the greyish body and a brown wash that also covers the base. 

Provenance: In New York prior to 2000. 
J.J. Lally & Co., New York, 19 September 2003.
Peter Scheinman (1932-2017) Collection, New York.

Notes: Celadon wares with carved or incised lotus design are known to have been produced in Yuezhou ware in what is now modern day Xiangyin county, Hunan province. See a discussion about the Yuezhou ware in Mino and Tsiang, Ice and Green Clouds: Traditions of Chinese Celadons, Indianapolis, 1986, p. 112. Compare, also, the incised decoration on the base of an iron spot-decorated celadon figure of a lion sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1 June 2016, lot 3101. 

An extremely rare iron-spot decorated celadon figure of a seated lion, Southern Dynasties-early Tang dynasty, 6th-7th century. Sold for HKD 4,600,000 at Christie's Hong Kong, 1 June 2016, lot 3101. © Christie's Images Ltd 2016

(Cf. my post: An extremely rare iron-spot decorated celadon figure of a seated lion, Southern Dynasties-early Tang dynasty, 6th-7th century)

The result of Oxford Authentication thermoluminescence test no. P100y68 (14 September 2000) is consistent with the dating of this lot. 

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 14 - 15 September 2017, New York