A rare 'longquan' celadon vase (gu) Southern Song Dynasty

of archaic gu beaker form, the compressed globular body molded with four raised flanges each centering foliate scrolls, set between a tall neck with a trumpet mouth molded with four upright blade leaves and a flaring foot with pendent leaves, applied overall in a bright and unctuous sea-foam green 'kinuta' glaze

Three places along the rim have been repaired. A 5 mm, 3 cm and 2 cm chips have been restored. The overall condition is still quite good.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Longquan celadon gu of this elegant shape appear to be very rare, although a similar, slightly larger vase from the collection of W.W. Winkworth was sold in our London rooms, 12th December 1972, lot 19, and related examples are known with different flanges, illustrated in Ayers, The Baur Collection Geneva. Chinese Ceramics, vol. 1, 1968, no. A102; and in Hobson, A Catalogue of Chinese Pottery and Porcelain in the Collection of Sir Percival David, Bt., F.S.A., London, 1934, pl. XL111, also in Stacey Pierson, Song Ceramics: Objects of Admiration, London, 2003, no. 33.  Compare a similar vase sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 5th November 1997, lot 1364.