A Massive celadon-Glazed jar Qing Dynasty, 18th Century

the majestic vessel of ovoid form, rising from a tapered base to a robust body under a waisted neck with everted rim, the body finely carved with two alternating registers of scrolling peony sprays and dragons, between a band of lotus lappets at the foot and upside-down ruyi-head lappets below a keyfret band at the shoulder, the neck subtly incised with individual floral sprays, covered overall in an unctuous green glaze pooling in the recesses, the unglazed base revealing the gray buff body

The glaze on the jar is very thick and exhibits some areas of air bubbles and iron spots. The interior of the rim with a 1/2 inch area of glaze pull, another smaller area of glaze pull on the rim, and some air burst bubbles around the perimeter. This is in otherwise good overall condition.
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.

The present jar is impressive for its large size and deeply carved decoration of dragons amidst meandering peony scrolls in this light celadon glaze. A similar jar was sold at Christie's New York, 16th September 1999, lot 363. See also a smaller celadon-glazed jar of similar rounded shape but carved with the lotus scroll design, sold in our London rooms, 24th January 1978, lot 153. 

The design found on the present piece may have been inspired by textile kesi designs; see a kesi with similar slender scrolling dragons illustrated in Rose Kerr, Chinese Art and Design, New York, 1991, pl. 44.