EARLY MING DYNASTY, 15TH CENTURY

It is extremely rare to find a Ming celadon meiping of this size with carved decoration. The closest published example appears to be the larger vase (47 cm.) of similar, elegant form illustrated by J. Ayers, Far Eastern Ceramics in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1980, no. 132; and again by R. Kerr, ed., Chinese Art and Design - Art Objects in Ritual and Daily Life, New York, 1991, no. 73. This example bears an inscription around the shoulder which reads 'fine wine with delicate aroma' and the author proposes that this may have been a trade mark, as it appears on other Longquan celadon vessels including jars with wider-mouthed rims. The present lot with its narrow mouth would have been used as a serving vessel, possibly for wine.

Compare the carved celadon meiping of broader proportions and shorter neck, but of similar size and comparable decoration, sold Sotheby's Hong Kong, An Important Private Collection of Chinese Celadons and other Ceramics, 5 November 1996, lot 647.