A LARGE LONGQUAN CELADON GLAZED BALUSTER VASE Late 14th centuryA LARGE LONGQUAN CELADON GLAZED BALUSTER VASELate 14th centuryWell-potted, rising from a waisted foot, the ovoid body with high shoulders, the long neck extending to a flared mouth rim, the baluster body and neck boldly carved with floral sprays issuing from broad curling leaves, all framed between a band of upward leaf lappets at the foot and stepped rings at the trumpet neck, the glaze of a rich sea-green tone. 64.6cm (25 3/8in) high.十四世紀晚期 龍泉窯青釉刻花卉紋鳳尾尊Well-potted, the present vase is notable for its elegant form, attractive sea-green glaze and balanced and complimentary decorative registers, with the finely carved horizontal ribs of the neck and the vertical lappets framing the freely-scrolling design of the central section.The vase shares similarities in shape and decoration with large Longquan-glazed temple vases of the Yuan dynasty. See, for example, the vase illustrated by R.Scott, Imperial Taste. Chinese Ceramics from the Percival Foundation of Chinese Art, London, 1989, pp.50-51, no.24.A similar Longquan celadon glazed vase, dated by inscription to 1454, is illustrated by S.Pierson, Illustrated Catalogue of Celadon Wares in the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, London, 1997, p.35, no.238. The inscription states that the vase was 'respectfully offered to the local temple to be placed before the Buddha, with a prayer for long-life', suggesting that vases such as the present lot would have been considered worthy temple gifts. See also another similar Longquan celadon glazed vase, circa 1435-1460, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated by Tsai Mei-fen, Green-Longquan Celadon of the Ming Dynasty, Taipei, 2009, pl.80.Compare with a Longquan celadon glazed 'trumpet neck' vase, Ming dynasty, decorated with chrysanthemum flowers, which was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30 November 2011, lot 3014.sold_price_type: £