They are of plain shallow form with flat rims, the undersides are carved with crisp lotus petals, and with small tapered foot rims, the brilliant blue-green celadon glazes of kinuta type.

The word celadon is of European origin and is derived from the colour of a cloak worn by Celadon, a shepherd in a pastoral romance of the 17th century by Honoré d’Urfé. This lovely colour when uncrackled and leading the eye into its depth is called kinuta from the Japanese word meaning mallet, after a famous vase of mallet shape preserved in Japan. The Chinese prefer to call these wares with lime glazes “Green Wares”.

Literature: Anthony du Boulay, The Duberly Collection of Chinese Art at Winchester College (Winchester, 2019), p. 12

Provenance: Bequeathed as part of the Duberly Collection, 1978; purchased by Major Montagu and Lady Eileen Duberly from John Sparks, 29 January 1963 (£725)

Location: Treasury, Gallery 2 (one of the pair)