Lot 2502. Property from The Daikomyo-ji. A carved Longquan celadon 'peony' vase, meiping, Yuan-Ming dynasty (1279-1644); 29.8 cm, Japanese wood box. Lot Sold 1,143,000 HKD (Estimate 500,000 - 700,000 HKD). © Sotheby's 2023

Provenance: Passed down in Japan since medieval times, and thereafter in the collection of the Daikomyo-ji temple.

Note: Sturdily potted with a graceful silhouette and adorned with lush peony blooms, the present meiping is a remarkable exemplar of Longquan celadons of the Yuan and Ming dynasties. During this period of time, Longquan celadons saw a surge in more elaborate and prominent ornamentations, marking a departure from the minimalist aesthetics favoured during the previous Song dynasty.

The lustrous sage-green glaze pools to a deeper tone at the recessed areas, ingeniously simulating shadows and enhancing the three-dimensionality and complexity of the design and surface. Markedly top-heavy with a relatively narrow-waisted foot, this vase is a result of careful calculation: the exact proportions and firing temperature had to be perfect and precise to prevent sagging or collapsing, making the present vase a delightful work of art from the Longquan kilns.

Sotheby's. Karamono: Heirlooms of Chinese Art from Medieval Japan, Hong Kong, 9 October 2023