Each with the globular body supported on a spreading foot, deftly carved around the exterior with dynamic chilong with bifurcated tails striding on a dense ground of scrolling foliage issuing lingzhi fungi, all below upright plantain leaves on the waisted neck, flanked by a pair of simulated-bronze lion-mask handles. The tallest 35.5cm (14in) high.(2).

Provenance: acquired from C.T.Loo & Cie, Paris, 19 October 1970
A European private collection, and thence by descent

Note: The decorative technique of combining densely-carved floral motifs covered by a monochrome glaze, as seen on the present lot, was arguably a Kangxi revival of Longquan wares of the Yuan and Ming dynasties. The palette was widely employed on decorating monochrome-glazed vessels, notably brush pots of the period. A related celadon-glazed brush pot, Kangxi period, is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Small Refined Articles of the Study, Beijing, 2009, p.91, no.61.

Compare with a related carved celadon-glazed vase, Kangxi, of similar archaistic zun form carved with floral foliage, sold at Christie's New York, 19 March 2015, lot 434.

A celadon-glazed carved pear-shaped vase, China, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722) from the Collection of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth. Price realised USD 125,000 at Christie's New York, 19 March 2015, lot 434. © Christie's Images Ltd 2015. 

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART, 11 May 2017, 11:00 BST, LONDON, NEW BOND STREET