A 'Longquan' Celadon Vase (Yen-Yen). Ming Dynasty, 16th century

the baluster body rising from a short, slightly tapered foot, surmounted by a tall cylindrical neck broadening to a wide trumpet mouth, the body freely incised with large scrolling peony flowers bordered by double-incised lines, above a border of tall upright lappets at the base, two peony sprays incised on the neck below four evenly spaced lines leading to the rim, covered overall in a thick pale bluish-green glaze pooling to a deeper tone in the recesses - height 20 1/4 in., 51.4 cm - Estimate: 20,000—30,000 USD

Provenance: - Property of a New York Estate.
- Thereafter with the present owner

Note:  A closely related example of slightly smaller size was included in the exhibition Chinese Celadons and Other Related Wares in Southeast Asia, National Museum, Singapore, 1979, cat. no. 207; and a group of yen-yen vases in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, is illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, London, 1986, vol. I, fig. 206, p. 289. Compare also a vase of similar design and height, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 8th November 1982, lot 86; and another sold in these rooms, 14th December 1976, lot 89.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art including Chinese and Japanese Art from The Collection of Frieda and Milton Rosenthal. 16 Sep 08. www.sotheby's.com