CELEDON MEIPING VASE
This piece is representative of an original item auctioned by Christie's, Hong Kong, in November, 1996. It was sold for approximately US $460,000.00. The original meiping was made by the official kiln in Qianlong Period, Qing Dynasty, as certified by the seal mark on the bottom of the vase.
The celadon-glazed Meiping vase is embellished with dragons and clouds. It is an excellent example of the effect that could be created by using the intaglio form of decoration on a monochrome porcelain vessel. The elaborate crisp decoration around the body is highlighted by the translucent glaze pooling in the deeper recesses providing a contrast of colour tone, thus creating two different shades of green from the same glaze, while simultaneously accentuating the finely detailed design.
The special feature of this Meiping is that the circular small mouth and the small neck is attached to a
proportionately large, flat and spread-out shoulder which then narrows rather sharply towards the belly.
This simple but quite uncommon form has an ancient taste and carries its own appeal. The body of the
vase is decorated with dragon and cloud pattern in relief and enhanced with embellishment of breaking
waves, leaves and ruyi lines. This plain color-scheme denotes a quiet grace and gives its owner a lasting
pleasure. This type of meipings are good attractions in the world-wide markets and usually command very
respectable prices.
EXHIBITED:
Splendour of the Qing Dynasty. Joint Exhibition by the Urban Council, and the Min Chiu Society, Hong
Kong Museum of Art, 1995/1996, Catalogue, pl. 210.
LITERATURE:
The Tsui Museum of Art, Chinese Ceramics, Vol.IV, pl34.
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