A RARE 'LONGQUAN' CELADON DOUBLE-GOURD EWER SONG DYNASTY

finely potted with a globular lower bulb surmounted by a smaller upper bulb, set to one side with an elegantly curved strap handle, and a delicate slender spout to the other, applied overall with an even sea-green glaze, draining to a paler tone around the edges, the unglazed hand-pared footrim burnt a buff colour in the firing

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 28th October 1992, lot 24.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 1st November 1999, lot 304. 

The ewer is in very good condition with the exception of very minor loss of glaze to the tip of the spout, a 1mm., diam., glaze firing imperfection to the middle of the lower bulb and a 4mm./, wide flake to the edge of the foot..
"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."

Longquan celadon ewers of this charming double-gourd shape include one from the collection of Sir Percival David, now in the British Museum, London, published in Margaret Medley, Illustrated Catalogue of Celadon Wares in the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, London, 1997, pl. A205; another sold in our London rooms, 15th/16th October 1973, lot 164; and two sold in our New York rooms, the first, 23rd May 1969, lot 63, and the second, 5th May 1979, lot 125.

Ewers of this form are more commonly known to be produced in qingbai porcelain; see examples recovered in Southeast Asia, such as one with a cover, splashed with with iron spots and a dragon-shaped handle in the British Museum, illustrated in Stacey Pierson, Qingbai Ware. Chinese Porcelain of the Song and Yuan Dynasties, London, 2002, pl. 68; another, lacking the iron spots, sold in our New York rooms, 4th November 1978, lot 90; and a third sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 21st May 1984, lot 15.