Large celadon stoneware jar – China or Southeast Asia

Large celadon stoneware jar intended for storing water, foodstuffs and for fermentation.

• China or Southeast Asia, late 19th–early 20th century.
• Some have seen prolonged outdoor use, but indoor installation or placement under shelter is recommended.
• Provenance: Claude de Marteau collection.
• Sold with certificate of origin.
• Dimensions:

H 73 cm – max width (approx.) 65 cm

Inner neck: 38 cm – Outer neck: 45 cm

Celadon stoneware storage jars

This large celadon stoneware jar, from China or Southeast Asia, corresponds to a type of storage vessel widely distributed in the region. Intended for domestic use—water, foodstuffs or fermentation—it reflects a utilitarian production rooted in everyday practices.

The celadon glaze, with subtle green nuances, belongs to a tradition of Chinese origin, later developed in several production centers in Southeast Asia. Its hue, often likened to jade, gives these objects a visual quality that goes beyond their original function.

With its balanced proportions and unified surface, this jar illustrates the shift from a utilitarian object to one now sought after for its presence. This type of production is part of an old network of regional exchanges, linking China to workshops in Southeast Asia.

The surface shows traces of use consistent with its original function, contributing to the reading of the object in its historical continuity.

Examples of celadon jars within the Claude de Marteau collection.

A comparable example sold for €3,300 at Sotheby’s on 5 April 2023, placing this type of piece in an established international market.