Lot 3214. A Longquan celadon mallet-shaped vase, Southern Song-Yuan dynasty (1127-1368); 6 3/4 in. (17.2 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 800,000 - HKD 1,500,000. Price realised HKD 1,000,000. © Christie’s Image Ltd 2014. 

The cylindrical body tapers slightly towards the foot from the canted shoulder and the tall neck flanked by a pair of dragon-carp handles tapering towards the widely flared mouth with upturned rim, covered overall with an even glaze of soft sea-green tone which falls to just above the edge of the foot, and which also covers the inside of the foot and the flat base, box, Japanese wood box.

Note: Longquan celadon vases of this form, known as 'kinuta' vases in Japan based on the mallet shape, were highly revered in Japan and often placed in a prominent position in the tea ceremony space. Compare to s larger example also with dragon-carp handles, formerly in the collection of Lord Matsudaira Fumai by repute, sold at Christie's New York, 19 March 2008, lot 561, and two mallet-shaped vases with dragon handles included in the Special Exhibition of Cultural Relics Found off Sinan Coast, National Museum of Korea, Seoul, 1977, col. pl. 3 and 4.

Christie’s. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 26 November 2014