Lot 253. A moulded ‘Longquan’ celadon ‘Longevity’ tripod censer, Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279); 16.2cm., 6 3/8 in. Estimate 40,000 — 60,000. Lot sold 230,500 GBP. Photo: Sothebys.

the cylindrical body rising from three cabriole legs to a flat incurved rim, moulded to the exterior with four characters reading shoushan fuhai (May your longevity be as high as the mountains and your blessings as vast as the sea), covered overall in a crackled sea-green glaze revealing the buff-coloured body around the feet and the footring to the base.

Exhibited: The Splendor of Chinese Celadons, National Taiwan Museum, Taiwan, 1991, cat.no.58.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, London, 06 Nov 2013