A CARVED LONGQUAN CELADON ‘LYFECYCLE OF LOTUS’ VASE, MEIPING, MING DYNASTY
A CARVED LONGQUAN CELADON ‘LYFECYCLE OF LOTUS’ VASE, MEIPING, MING DYNASTY
Expert NoteThe lotus is one of the most enduring symbols in Chinese art. Rising immaculate from muddy waters, it became a powerful metaphor for purity and spiritual awakening, particularly in Buddhist imagery. The successive stages of its growth—from tightly closed buds and furled leaves to fully opened blossoms—may further evoke the continuous cycle of growth, flowering, and renewal.China, 1368-1644. Heavily potted, rising from a slightly spreading foot to a high rounded shoulder surmounted by a short neck. The exterior is freely and deeply incised with a continuous lotus-lifecycle scene, depicting broad curling leaves and lotus blossoms in various stages of growth, from tightly closed buds to fully opened blooms.The foot is encircled by a band of upright stiff leaves, while the shoulder is decorated with freely incised scrolling clouds. The short neck is carved with a continuous band of deep vertical grooves, allowing the olive-green glaze to pool attractively within the recesses. The foot rim is left unglazed and burnt orange in the firing.Provenance: John Sparks Ltd, London (label to base). An English private collection, acquired from the above in the 1950s or 1960s and thence by descent. John Sparks began trading as the Japanese Fine Art Depot in 1890 and later established John Sparks Ltd in 1906. Recognized as one of the most respected London dealers in Chinese art, John Sparks supplied an international clientele of collectors, including Queen Mary, from whom the company received the Royal Warrant of Antiquary of Chinese Art in 1926. The next year John Sparks moved to larger premises at 128 Mount Street in Mayfair, London, where it remained until it closed in 1990. Condition: Excellent condition with minor old wear and typical firing irregularities including dark spots, tiny pitting, and kiln grit to foot.Weight: 1.560 kg Dimensions: Height 23.5 cmLiterature comparison: Compare a closely related Lonquan meiping dated to the Ming dynasty, 16th century, 33 cm high, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, object number 中瓷001407N000000000. Compare a related Longquan vase with similarly carved lotus design, dated 16th-17th century, 31.6 cm high, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, object number 中瓷001302N000000000.Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 9 October 2023, lot 2502 Price: HKD 1,143,000 or approx. EUR 135,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A carved Longquan celadon 'peony' vase, Meiping, Yuan - Ming dynasty Expert remark: Compare the related form, glaze, and motifs. Note the slightly larger size (29.8 cm).Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s New York, 30 March 2005, lot 322 Price: USD 18,000 or approx. EUR 26,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: An unusual Longquan celadon carved bottle, Meiping, Yuan/early Ming dynasty, 14th-15th century Expert remark: Compare the related form, glaze, decoration, and motifs. Note the smaller size (18.4 cm).Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 15 May 2025, lot 1181 Price: HKD 352,800 or approx. EUR 41,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A carved Longquan celadon 'floral' vase, Meiping, early ming dynasty Expert remark: Compare the related form, glaze, decoration, and motifs. Note the much larger size (37.8 cm).
A CARVED LONGQUAN CELADON ‘LYFECYCLE OF LOTUS’ VASE, MEIPING, MING DYNASTY
Expert NoteThe lotus is one of the most enduring symbols in Chinese art. Rising immaculate from muddy waters, it became a powerful metaphor for purity and spiritual awakening, particularly in Buddhist imagery. The successive stages of its growth—from tightly closed buds and furled leaves to fully opened blossoms—may further evoke the continuous cycle of growth, flowering, and renewal.China, 1368-1644. Heavily potted, rising from a slightly spreading foot to a high rounded shoulder surmounted by a short neck. The exterior is freely and deeply incised with a continuous lotus-lifecycle scene, depicting broad curling leaves and lotus blossoms in various stages of growth, from tightly closed buds to fully opened blooms.The foot is encircled by a band of upright stiff leaves, while the shoulder is decorated with freely incised scrolling clouds. The short neck is carved with a continuous band of deep vertical grooves, allowing the olive-green glaze to pool attractively within the recesses. The foot rim is left unglazed and burnt orange in the firing.Provenance: John Sparks Ltd, London (label to base). An English private collection, acquired from the above in the 1950s or 1960s and thence by descent. John Sparks began trading as the Japanese Fine Art Depot in 1890 and later established John Sparks Ltd in 1906. Recognized as one of the most respected London dealers in Chinese art, John Sparks supplied an international clientele of collectors, including Queen Mary, from whom the company received the Royal Warrant of Antiquary of Chinese Art in 1926. The next year John Sparks moved to larger premises at 128 Mount Street in Mayfair, London, where it remained until it closed in 1990. Condition: Excellent condition with minor old wear and typical firing irregularities including dark spots, tiny pitting, and kiln grit to foot.Weight: 1.560 kg Dimensions: Height 23.5 cmLiterature comparison: Compare a closely related Lonquan meiping dated to the Ming dynasty, 16th century, 33 cm high, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, object number 中瓷001407N000000000. Compare a related Longquan vase with similarly carved lotus design, dated 16th-17th century, 31.6 cm high, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, object number 中瓷001302N000000000.Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 9 October 2023, lot 2502 Price: HKD 1,143,000 or approx. EUR 135,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A carved Longquan celadon 'peony' vase, Meiping, Yuan - Ming dynasty Expert remark: Compare the related form, glaze, and motifs. Note the slightly larger size (29.8 cm).Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s New York, 30 March 2005, lot 322 Price: USD 18,000 or approx. EUR 26,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: An unusual Longquan celadon carved bottle, Meiping, Yuan/early Ming dynasty, 14th-15th century Expert remark: Compare the related form, glaze, decoration, and motifs. Note the smaller size (18.4 cm).Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 15 May 2025, lot 1181 Price: HKD 352,800 or approx. EUR 41,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A carved Longquan celadon 'floral' vase, Meiping, early ming dynasty Expert remark: Compare the related form, glaze, decoration, and motifs. Note the much larger size (37.8 cm).
