Page 139 - Sothebys Important Chinese Art 09/13/17
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A RARE LONGQUAN CELADON ‘CHAMPION’ of the vase symbolizing the union between bride and groom.
VASE These later ‘champion’ vases were typically carved in jade.
MING DYNASTY Numerous such vases were produced in the Qianlong period,
including a white jade example that sold in our Hong Kong
formed as a pair of conjoined tubular vases each with a tapered rooms, 5th October 2016, lot 3710.
foot and sloping neck, the body of each vase molded with
diaper pattern between an upper and lower scrolling border, an Longquan wares in this form are extremely rare. Compare,
applied sinewy three-clawed frontal dragon spreading across however, a slightly larger example, included in the exhibition
the join at one side, an applied phoenix outstretching its wings Oosterse schatten: 4000 jaar Aziatische Kknst [Oriental
and feet on the other side, covered overall in an olive-green Treasures: 4000 Years of Asian Art], Rijksmuseum,
glaze save for the footring Amsterdam, 1954. That vase is slightly taller than the present
Height 6½ in., 16.3 cm example, and it sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 29th May 2013,
lot 2244.
‘Champion’ vases gained popularity in the Song dynasty
(960-1279), and by the Qianlong reign (1735-96) became an $ 20,000-30,000
important part of marriage rituals, with the two compartments
END OF SESSION ONE
IMPORTANT CHINESE ART 137
