This Longquan celadon figure is defined by a composed frontal presence: half-lidded eyes, a calm oval face, and a hooded mantle that reads as a single, clean silhouette. The robe is modeled with restrained but deep folds—glaze pools in the recesses into a richer olive tone, while the raised edges fire thinner and lighter, sharpening the relief and giving the carving real definition. The color shifts naturally from jade-like grey-green to mossy depths, with fine peppered speckling and subtle kiln character on the surface—an understated, materially convincing piece where form and glaze do the work.
Longquan Celadon Figurine, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
Longquan Celadon Figurine, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
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$5,900.00 USD
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$5,900.00 USD
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Period: Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
Region: Longquan, China
Medium: Stoneware - Celadon glazed, with a range from heavy grey to almost white porcelain-like material
Type: Sculpture
Height : 24.5 cm
Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong
* Ming Dynasty Longquan Celadon
Longquan celadon from the Ming Dynasty typically exhibits a more robust and heavier stoneware body compared to its Song Dynasty predecessors. The Ming era saw an evolution in celadon glaze, achieving a wider spectrum of green hues, from olive to bluish-greens. Ming celadons often had thicker glaze applications, sometimes featuring multiple layers and even multiple firings to attain depth and richness in the glaze.
In contrast, Song Dynasty Longquan celadons are known for their more refined and thinner bodies, with a glaze palette that tends toward more subtle and more uniform green shades. The shapes of Song celadons were usually simpler, emphasizing the glaze's quality and texture.
During the Song period, there was also a greater emphasis on subtle and elegant forms, with less ornate decoration compared to the Ming pieces, which showcased more elaborate decorative motifs, including incised or moulded patterns. Song Dynasty Longquan wares were also highly prized for their thin walls and lightness, reflecting a high level of technical mastery in pottery-making.
Overall, while both dynasties produced celadons of exceptional quality, the Ming Longquan celadons are distinguished by their bolder forms and more varied glaze effects, while the Song Dynasty celadons are celebrated for their simplicity and the pure beauty of their glazes.
