Longquan Pale Celadon Crackle-Glaze Shangping Vase

A pale celadon field gives this vase its calm, but the form is not anonymous. The flared mouth, long neck, rounded shoulders, and full lower body identify the Shangping, often translated as a "reward vase."

The Palace Museum traces the form to the Yongzheng reign and notes that lotus-decorated examples were presented to officials as an encouragement toward honest service. This Longquan interpretation carries that history of honorable recognition into a quieter, undecorated celadon palette.

Crackle continues across the exterior and inside the mouth, giving the pale blue-green glaze depth as the light changes. The broad shoulders keep the vase visually grounded, whether it is displayed empty or used for a restrained branch arrangement.

An engraved Guan character appears on the base. Each size includes a rotating display base, allowing the profile and crackle to be viewed without repeatedly handling the vase.

• Origin: Longquan, Zhejiang, China
• Material: Longquan ceramic
• Form: Shangping, or reward vase
• Glaze: Pale celadon crackle glaze, including the inner mouth
• Base mark: Decorative engraved Guan character
• Medium: 30 cm H x 20 cm body diameter x 11 cm mouth diameter x 10 cm base diameter / 11.8 in H x 7.9 in body diameter x 4.3 in mouth diameter x 3.9 in base diameter
• Large: 39 cm H x 26 cm body diameter x 17 cm mouth diameter x 15 cm base diameter / 15.4 in H x 10.2 in body diameter x 6.7 in mouth diameter x 5.9 in base diameter
• Included: Vase and rotating display base
• Care: Dust with a soft, dry cloth; wipe gently with a lightly damp cloth when needed