A large Longquan celadon-glazed 'phoenix-tail' vase


Early Ming Dynasty, circa 1435-1460Of elegant baluster form, the body moulded with narrow vertical ribs above the foot, the central band with floral scrolls beneath a horizontal rib, the shoulder with further densely scrolling foliate scrolls, the neck with upright plantain-leaf lappets beneath four ribs below the flaring rim, all covered with a rich olive-green glaze. 61.2cm (24 1/8in) high
|ProvenanceAn English private collection, and thence by descentCompare a similar but slightly larger vase, dated by inscription to 1454, illustrated in Illustrated Catalogue of Celadon Wares in the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art Section 7, London, 1997, p.35, no.238. The inscription states that the vase was 'respectfully offered to the local temple to be placed before the Buddha, with a prayer for long-life', suggesting that vases such as the present lot would have been considered worthy temple gifts. See also another similar vase illustrated in The Multiplicity of Simplicity: Monochrome Wares from the Song to the Yuan Dynasties, Hong Kong, 2012, no.76.Compare with a related Longquan celadon-glazed phoenix-tail vase, circa 1435-1460, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated by Tsai Mei-fen, Green-Longquan Celadon of the Ming Dynasty, Taipei, 2009, pl.80.