A 'LONGQUAN' CELADON EWER EARLY MING DYNASTY

robustly potted of pear form with a bulbous body rising to a tall neck with a galleried rim, the curved tubular spout braced to the body by a small cloud scroll strut, set opposite the arched strap handle now missing and fitted with a gold replacement, the body lightly carved with plantain trees with wide fronds, set between key-fret collaring the neck and and upright lappets skirting the foot, the spout densely carved with a peony on a foliate ground, all beneath a lusterous olive green glaze

Formerly in a Japanese Collection.

Apart from the old break to the now missing handle and attendant body cracks from the break extending around 2/3 of the middle of the neck and at the top of the neck with a few shorter hairline cracks. There are some light firing cracks around the foot. However, the overall condition is still quite good.
"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."

This vase belongs to a group of high quality Longquan celadon wares produced in the late 14th century/early 15th century, and which are decorated with carved designs that may be compared with underglaze-blue decoration of the period.  During the early Ming Dynasty, the Longquan kilns seem to have worked in close cooperation with the imperial porcelain kilns at Jingdezhen; making wares of similiar form, decoration and quality, perhaps under imperial instruction.

See three related longquan ewers illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, London, vol.I, 1986, pls. 225, 226 and 227; the first two with carved garden scenes of bamboo plants and bamboo, and the third with hibscus sprays.  Also compare two related ewers published in Chinese Ceramics in the Idemitsu Museum Collection, Tokyo, 1987, pls.588 and 589. See an undecorated longquan glazed ewer from the Manno Art Museum, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 28th October 2002, lot 558.