A LONGQUAN CELADON ZHADOU SONG DYNASTY

the compressed bulbous body rising from a slightly tapered foot to a wide neck flaring at the rim, covered overall in an attractive pale sea-green glaze stopping at the footring revealing the buff-coloured body burnt orange in the firing

The overall condition is very good, except for a couple of original underglazed body lines to the mouth (one with an associated air bubble). There are also a few flakes to the unglazed inner footring. The actual colour of the glaze is somewhat warmer and of a richer celadon tone compared to 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."

Early Longquan celadons of this form are very rare, conventionally known as zhadou (leys jar) or xianglu (incense burner). The coherence of the potting, with the dynamic wide-flaring mouth, is remarkable, and the glaze retains the pale bluish tints in the celadon that are characteristic of Southern Song examples. A similar example from the collection of Edward T. Chow, was sold in these rooms, 16th December 1980, lot 298; and another was sold in our New York rooms, 19th and 20th March 2013, lot 34. 

Another published example of this form in the Zhejiang Provincial Museum is illustrated in Longquan Celadon of China, Hangzhou, 1998, pl. 70. Another discovered among a group of Song ceramics excavated at Lueyang, Shaanxi province, is illustrated in Wenwu, 1976, no. 11, pl. 6, fig. 5; and a third is included in Chinese Ceramics in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1987, pl. 474. Fragments of smaller zhadou recovered from kiln sites at Dayao, Longquan county, Zhejiang province, are illustrated in Longquan qingci yanjiu, Beijing, 1989, pl. 6, fig. 5, with a line drawing, p. 57, fig. 11 (2). The latter examples appear to have much greener and slightly inferior crackled glazes.