Longquan Celadon Twin Phoenix Mallet Vase

Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279)

Robustly potted with a waisted neck which flares as it approaches the rounded, slightly incurved rim, with a mallet-shaped body, the straight vertical sides slightly tapering from the canted shoulder towards the foot. The tall neck is flanked by a pair of Phoenix handles. The soft sea-green crackle glaze stops just above the foot rim, the slightly recessed base with glaze, the extreme edge of which exhibits a bright orange tone.

H. 7 3/8 in.

Note: Longquan celadon wares have been revered both in China and Japan for more than seven hundred years. At its finest, the Longquan celadon glaze is thick, translucent and has a rich texture reminiscent of jade. The soft bluish-green color glaze was difficult for potters to achieve but greatly admired by connoisseurs. For similar examples, see: Yutaka Mino and Katherine R. Tsiang, Ice and Green Clouds, Traditions of Chinese Celadon, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indiana University Press,1986. pp.192-95 Illus. 78a-h