A carved celadon-glazed 'Kui Dragon' jar, seal mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795)
Lot 415. A carved celadon-glazed 'Kui Dragon' jar, seal mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795). Estimate 150,000 — 200,000 HKD. Unsold. Photo: Sotheby's
of baluster form with high shoulders, finely carved with kui dragons in dynamic poses around the vessel, their highly stylised bodies studded with tiny bosses terminating in bifurcated tails, all set between a wan symbol band below the lipped rim and upright lotus petals around the foot, the glaze of a rich olive-green tone pooling in the recesses to accent the carving, the base with a six-character seal mark; 26.2 cm., 10 1/4 in.
Note: Carved with a marvellous matrix composed entirely of sinuous kui dragons, this vase follows in the Longquan celadon style made for the court during the early Ming dynasty. Compare two related baluster vases sold in our New York rooms, the first, 5th May 1979, lot 40, and the second, 6th November 1981, lot 306. For the prototype of this design see a vase decorated with striking dragons, from collection of Bo Ewer, sold in our London rooms, 24th July 1973, lot 56.
Sotheby's. Chinese Art, Hong Kong, 03 Dec 2015