A FINE AND RARE CARVED 'LONGQUAN' CELADON BOWL MING DYNASTY, YONGLE/XUANDE PERIOD, EARLY 15TH CENTURY

finely potted with deep rounded sides supported on a low slightly tapered foot, deftly carved in similar style to contemporary blue and white porcelain with a wide composite floral scroll filling the whole external field, the large lotus, peony, chrysanthemum and camellia flowers borne with buds and leaves on separate leafy stems, a key-fret encircling the foot, the interior with a very similar composite floral scroll encircling a peony spray roundel, all under a rich celadon green glaze pooling to a darker colour in the recesses of the carving to enhance the design, the foot and base glazed except for an unglazed ring burnt russet in the firing within the footrim

An Important Private Collection of Chinese Celadons and Other Ceramics.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 5th November 1996, lot 634.

Julian Thompson, 'Chinese Celadons', Arts of Asia, November-December, 1993, p. 70, fig. 18 left.

The overall condition is very good. The glaze is glossy and lustrous with only some light surface scratches. The carving is crisp. The actual colour is slightly deeper than the catalogue illustration.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A bowl of this form, but caved with a peony scroll, in the Idemitsu Museum of Arts, Tokyo, is illustrated in Chinese Ceramics in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1987, pl. 604. Compare also two related bowls of smaller proportions sold in these rooms, 25^th May 1984, lot 332, and the other, 14^th May 1983, lot 461.

This rare bowl represents the adoption of shapes and decoration of contemporary blue and white porcelain of Jingdezhen by the Longquan potters. Due to the increasing popularity of the Jingdezhen wares, it appears that the Longquan craftsmen adapted the more delicate forms and complicated designs to their own technique of potting and carving. Although sturdier in construction, the present bowl bears a resemblance to lianzi bowls, while the carved flower scroll mirrors the decoration found on blue and white bowls of the Yongle and Xuande reigns.