Celadon Kong Vessel

Song-dynasty porcelain found favor among late Qing-dynasty ceramicists for their elegant forms, emulated here in this kong vessel made in southern China around 1900. Its rhombus design provided four rectangular panels for the artist to showcase his ability to model lifelike appliques of budding branches, flowering trees, butterflies, and birds. The sculptural motifs allow the celadon glaze to pool and cling, enhancing the vase’s dimensional effect. The glaze’s pale green color and milky translucence is one of the most desired shades of celadon, resembling the appearance of highly valued jade.