Chinese Longquan Celadon Tripod Censer, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

Ref: W885

£ 3,500

Price is subject to availability and market conditions.

Chinese Longquan celadon tripod censer, Ming dynasty (1368-1644) thickly potted and supported on three short cylindrical legs, the compressed bulbous body rising to a short waist with gently everted rim, decorated to the exterior with a fine incised design of scrolling peony with foliage and meandering lines, covered with a sea-green glaze except the interior well and the underside of the body with central boss, which are left unglazed to reveal the buff stoneware body.

Dimensions:

Diameter: 29.5cm. (11 5/8in.)

Condition:

Good; some crazing in places

Notes:

First produced in China, celadons were highly prized for their resemblance to jade and the tranquil beauty of their glaze. They were exported across Southeast Asia and the Middle East long before European involvement in the trade of Asian ceramics. The celadons of the Longquan kilns in Zhejiang province were among the finest produced in China, and the potters there led stylistic and technical developments in celadon production from the Song Dynasty (960-1279) through to the early Ming (1368-1644). The range of glaze colour from greyish to blueish greens results from the impact of variations in kiln temperature and atmosphere on the iron oxide within the glaze. The levels of iron oxide also have an impact on end colour; a lower iron oxide content will generally result in a blueish colour, while higher levels will result in darker, olive tones.