Pair of Chinese Celadon Longquan Vases as Lamps

A pair of Chinese Longquan ware vases in light-green celadon glaze, of the 12th–14th century Song or Yuan dynasty style. Fitted as lamps on gilt turned circular bases. China, early to mid-20th century.

The vases have the traditional pear-shaped bodies raised on slightly spreading feet, the waisted and flaring necks applied with two C-shaped dragon handles suspending large fixed rings, covered overall with a bluish-green glaze thinning to white at the edges and around the moulded peony scroll decoration.

Why we like them

We love the exquisite, individually hand-moulded decoration and the gentle colour of the glaze, in perfect harmony with the the flowing shape of the vases.

History and Design

Made in porcelain with raised moulded decoration under celadon glaze, and traditionally referred to as the Longquan ware, the design of these vases dates back to the 10th–14th century. Longquan celadon refers to ceramics produced in large kilns in Longquan, Jincun and other sites in Zhejiang Province on the east China seaboard as well as ceramics made elsewhere using the same techniques. The making of Longquan celadon dates back to the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). An original, Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279) period vase of this design was sold Christie's Hong Kong, 3 December 2021, lot 2821.

Dimensions

Height excluding shade: 17.25 in / 44 cm
Height with shade as shown: 24 in / 61 cm
Diameter: 7 in / 18 cm