Longquan Celadon 'Dragon' Jar and Cover, Song Dynasty

The celadon jar displays a balanced form with a calm bluish-grey glaze, its shoulders gently tapering toward the base to create a composed and harmonious silhouette. A modeled mythical beast is applied to the neck, while a small sculpted bird finial crowns the lid. The beast is rendered with restrained yet refined modeling, with subtle tension expressed along the neck and hind legs, complemented by raised ears and horn-like projections.

The surface is evenly coated with a transparent bluish glaze, densely covered with fine, naturally developed crackle throughout. Subtle tonal variations and discoloration across the glossy surface indicate long-term natural oxidation and gradual interaction between the glaze and underlying clay body. The unglazed foot reveals a characteristic reddish firing ring.

The bird finial on the lid exhibits reddish oxidation in areas where the glaze is thinner, sharing the same clay body and firing characteristics as the jar. The overall glaze thickness, crackle pattern, and fine greyish ceramic body are consistent with the physical properties of authentic celadon dating to the late 10th–12th century.

Period : Song or Liao Dynasty
Type : Celadon
Medium : Longquan ware
Size : 23.0 cm(Height) 6.0cm(Diameter)
Condition : Good(The present piece retains its complete form, including the cover, and is structurally stable overall. The body shows dots accompanied by craquelure and natural oxidation discoloration radiating from these points)
Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong
Reference :
1) LACMA - Lidded Funerary Urn (Hu) with Bird, Dogs, and Lotus Scrolls
(Type : Related)
https://collections.lacma.org/node/240265

2) Sotheby's London 11 May 2022 - Important Chinese Art - Lot38 - A rare Longquan celadon 'dragon and bird' jar and cover Southern Song dynasty
(Price : 44,100 GBP / Type : Related)
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2022/important-chinese-art-zhong-guo-yi-shu-zhen-pin/a-rare-longquan-celadon-dragon-and-bird-jar-and

3) Hongkong 30 NOV 2016 - Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art - Lot 3389 - A VERY RARE CARVED LONGQUAN CELADON VASE AND COVER
(Price : HKD 625,000 / Type : Related)
https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6043248

4) Christies Newyork 22 AUG 2018 - Interiors - Lot192 - A CHINESE LONGQUAN CELADON-GLAZED 'DRAGON' JAR AND A COVER
(Price : 18,750 USD / Type : Related)
https://www.christies.com/lot/a-chinese-longquan-celadon-glazed-dragon-jar-and-6156406/?intObjectID=6156406&lid=1