明初 龍泉青釉玉壺春瓶

superbly potted with a pear-shaped body rising from a slightly splayed foot, elegantly sweeping up to a tall waisted neck and an everted rim, covered overall in an even glossy and unctuous celadon glaze of sage-green tone, the glaze stopping neatly above the foot save for the unglazed footring fired to bright orange, the interior of the base glazed

It is in overall very good condition with expected light scratches and minor firing imperfections, including a streak of a lighter tone to the neck.
"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."

Notable for its rich celadon glaze which accentuates the elegant proportions of its shape, the present vase displays characteristics of Longquan celadon wares of the early Ming dynasty, particularly the Yongle period. During this period the Longquan kilns appear to have worked closely with the imperial kilns at Jingdezhen, thus making wares of similar form, decoration and quality, perhaps under imperial instruction.

A closely related vase is illustrated in Chinese Ceramics in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1987, pl. 587; another, exhibited in Chugoku seiji ten [Exhibition of Chinese celadon wares], Nihon Toji Kyokai (Japan Ceramics Association), Tokyo, 1950, cat. no. 79, was sold in these rooms, 26th October 2003, lot 49; and a third example from the Cleveland Museum of Art, sold at Christie’s New York, 21th September 2001, lot 293 and again in these rooms, 8th October 2013, lot 219.

Compare the more slender proportions and slightly opaque glaze of vases of this type of the Yuan dynasty, such as one illustrated in Zhu Boqian, Celadons from Longquan Kilns, Taipei, 1998, pl. 160, which reveals the refinement achieved by the Ming potters.