A BISCUIT LONGQUAN CELADON 'IMMORTALS' JAR, GUAN YUAN – EARLY MING DYNASTY |

robustly potted with a baluster body rising from a gently flared foot to a wide cylindrical neck, the exterior decorated with eight quatrefoil panels in biscuit, each variously depicting one of the Eight Daoist Immortals, above another horizontal register of biscuit panels depicting stylised floral sprays, the rim encircled by chevron and lappet bands, applied overall save for the biscuit panels with a sea-green glaze

Collection of Mrs Albert R. Louis.
Sotheby’s New York, 29th November 1956, lot 312.
Sotheby’s New York, 22nd February 1973, lot 200. 

Good overall condition with expected shallow chips to the rim and minor nicks to the fragile edges of of them biscuit carvings. There are also firing imperfections typical of the period.
"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."

The present jar, crisply decorated with impressed biscuit panels, belongs to a renowned type of Longquan celadon wares. Among the famous examples is a covered jar of this size and design from the collection of the Manno Art Museum, but attributed to the late 14th to early 15th century, included in Chinese Arts of the Sung and Yuan Periods, Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo, 1961, cat. no. 206, and sold at Christie's London, 21st June 2001, lot 94. The octagonal form of the current jar is reminiscent of the 14th century facetted meiping with eight biscuit panels of Daoist immortals from the Sir Percival David Collection and now in the British Museum, included in Stacey Pierson, Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art: A Guide to the Collection, London, 2002, cat. no. 35 (PDF.203).