Rare celadon-glazed baluster vase

This rare celadon-glazed baluster vase features a curved base, a high, swollen shoulder and a long, flared cylindrical neck, flanked by two small tubular handles. The decoration, which appears to be molded in light relief, is enhanced by the play of texture and the delicacy of the glaze, which is almost translucent in places. The body is composed of blossoming lotus flowers and foliage. The neck and handles are adorned with a frieze of geometric motifs and confronting Kui dragons in archaic style. The lip is highlighted by a frieze of lingzhi mushrooms. The base features stylized flower petal motifs. A six-character Qianlong “zhuanshu” mark in underglaze blue under the base.

This work bears witness to the so-called celadon productions, high-quality porcelains coated with a monochrome turquoise glaze produced by the imperial kilns during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795). These deliberately pay homage to the Longquan kilns of the Yuan and Ming dynasties; see, for example, a celadon vase in the Musée National des Arts Asiatiques-Guimet (inventory no. G3072). The celadon porcelains produced during the Qianlong reign, as shown by the work presented here, are distinguished by the great finesse and symmetry of their decoration, as well as by the revival of a stylistic vocabulary, notably antiquisite, inspired by the preceding dynasties.

Parallels and comparisons: A very similar vase, both in form and decoration, was sold at Christie’s during the sale of the Tom and Ruth Jones collection on 21/03/2014 in New York, lot 2181, from the former collection of Baroness Burton.

Height: 33 cm

Provenance: European private collection, acquired in the 1970s.