A RETICULATED CELADON ARROW VASE China, Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) or earlier. Of compressed globular body rising from a straight foot to a tall cylindrical neck flanked by a pair of tubular handles, the inner body contained by a reticulated outer wall carved in openwork. Overall molded with bands of meandering scrolls, palm blades and key fret to the foot. Covered overall with a finely crackled celadon glaze darkening in the recesses, exposing the buff body at the foot rim, partly burnt to orange in the firing.

Porcelain arrow vases were originally derived from similar bronze models. These were designed for the ancient Chinese game of touhu 投壺, or 'arrow-throwing', contestants would aim feathered arrows at the various cylinders applied to the vase, with higher points awarded for the less accessible openings.

Condition: Very good condition with minor firing irregularities and few small chips to the foot rim.
Provenance: British private collection.

Weight: 984 g
Dimensions: Height 26 cm

Auction result comparison: Compare with an almost identical vase dated Yuan - Ming Dynasty at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in CHINA / 5000 YEARS on 4 June 2020, lot 331, sold for HKD 375,000.