a 'longquan' celadon bulb-mouth bottle vase (suankouping) Yuan / Early Ming Dynasty

the pear-shaped body atop a low splayed foot rising to a tall slender neck and culminating in a bulbous-mouth and slightly everted mouth rim, the straight neck and sloping shoulder divided by a raised band, covered overall in a thick olive-green bubble-suffused glaze, the gray ware revealed at the foot rim burnt orange

The vase is well-potted and has a very minor lean. The mouth rim with a tiny area of glaze pull. The lower half of the body and foot with some small iron spots. The glaze is thick and one small section on the body is slightly discolored (darker). Expected chips to the bottom of the foot rim. In good overall condition. Inspected under UV light. The color is slightly less bright green than the catalogue image suggests.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Vases of this unusual form were recovered from a ship wrecked off the coast of Korea in 1323 A.D. A smaller vase of this type now in the National Museum of Korea, together with a bronze vase of related form, is illustrated in Relics Salvaged from the Seabed Off Sinan, Seoul, 1985, pl. 38 and pl. 290. Other related vases are included in Suzanne G. Valenstein, 'Some Chinese Celadons Reclaimed from the Sea', Oriental Art, Spring 1979, vol. XXV, no. 1, fig. 7, where the author discusses the development of this form, derived from the bronze suantou ping of the Western Han dynasty.

Compare a smaller 'Longquan' vase of this form in the Percival David Foundation published in the Illustrated Catalogue of Celadon Wares in the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, Section 7, London, 1997, pl. 283; and one in the Ataka Collection included in Sekai Toji Zenshui, vol. 13, Tokyo, 1981, p. 188, no. 76, with a tobi seiji glaze. Two vases of this type were also sold in our London rooms, 9th December 1986, lot 149, and 9th June 1987, lot 183.