a large 'longquan' celadon tripod censer with applied decoration Yuan dynasty

the low cylindrical body with a wide central band of sprig-molded scrolling peonies, between two narrow bands of detached floral sprays, the horizontal rim slightly grooved, all supported on three cabriole legs, the convex base made with a circular opening to the center that was originaly covered with a plaque, applied overall with a thick bubble-suffused olive-green glaze, a thin section of the base knife-pared revealing the pale orange body

There is a long 6 inch diagonal glaze crack to the interior, with an associated restored area at the end at the top where it meets sprig-molded detail. The interior with some smaller glaze cracks. One of the floral spray areas at the top and below the rim restored, the details of the spray appearing fuzzy. A barely noticeable 3 inch surface scratch on the central band, near a pinhole. Minor area of kiln grit on a peony bloom. Parts of the celadon glaze slightly brown in areas near the molding. Craquelure at the base, which is missing the central plug. Inspected under UV light. The piece is a slightly less saturated green than the catalogue image suggests.
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 censer is a particularly attractive and rare example of 'Longquan' censers of this form. It is unusual for its ornate decoration that is divided into three design bands compared to the more commonly found censers that are decorated with a single band motif usually applied in relief with the peony scroll. For example, see a smaller censer attributed to the Southern Song dynasty, excavated from the tomb in Quanzhou, Fujian province, dated in accordance with 1286 A.D., illustrated in Chuimei Ho (ed.), New Light on Chinese Yue and Longquan Wares, Hong Kong, 1994, p. 350, pl. 2e, together with a censer dated to 1327-1357 A.D. of the Yuan dynasty. Two related censers of similar dimensions, also attributed to the Song dynasty, are included in the Chinese Ceramics in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1987, pls. 98 and 463, together with two smaller censers, pls. 464 and 465.

Further examples of later related censers can be found in the Palace Museum, Beijing, included in Celadons from Longquan Kilns, Taipei, 1998, pl. 183; three in the Tokyo National Museum published in the Illustrated Catalogue of Tokyo National Museum. Chinese Ceramics II, Tokyo, 1990, pls. 3-5; one included in the exhibition L'age d'Or de la Ceramique Chinoise, Musee Cernuschi, Paris, 1999, cat.no. 89, from the Meiyintang collection; and one in the Shanghai Museum included in Longquan qingci, Beijing, 1966, pl. 50.

A smaller related censer was sold in our London rooms, 12th June 2003, lot 137; and another, illustrated in R.L. Hobson, Chinese Ceramics in Private Collections, London, 1931, fig. 330 and included in the International Exhibition of Chinese Art, the Royal Academy, London, 1935, cat.no. 1360, from the collection of C.E. Russell, was also sold in our London rooms, 12th July 1960, lot 141.