A 'Longquan' celadon zhadou, Song dynasty. Photo Sotheby's.

the bulbous body rising from a slightly tapered foot to a wide neck flaring at the rim, covered overall in an attractive pale sea-green glaze stopping at the footring revealing the buff-coloured body - 11cm., 4 3/8 in. Estimate 30,000 — 50,000 GBP

Note: Conventionally known as zhadou (leys jar) or xianglu (censer), early Longquan celadon wares of this form are unusual. The understated form, with the gentle swell of the body and broad flared neck, is complemented by the greenish-blue hues of the celadon glaze to result in a harmonious and well-balanced piece.

A closely related vessel, in the Zhejiang Provincial Museum, is illustrated in Zhongguo longquan qingci [Longquan Celadon of China], Hangzhou, 1998, pl. 70; one discovered among a group of Song ceramics excavated at Lueyang, Shaanxi Province, is published in Wenwu, 1976, no. 11, pl. 6, fig. 5; another is illustrated in Chinese Ceramics in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1987, pl. 474; a fourth example, from the collection of Edward T. Chow, was sold in these rooms, 16th December 1980, lot 298; and another, of slightly larger size, was sold in our New York rooms, 19th and 20th March 2013, lot 34.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, London, 14 May 2014 - www.sothebys.com