Covered five-tube jar surmounted by an openwork finial

Due to their resemblance to yue celadons, these multi-tube jars were previously misattributed by Japanese scholars to the yue kiln (Koyama 1978 vol. 36: 101, fig. 28). Kilns at Longquan, not far from yue, began in the tenth century to produce a tremendous output of celadon for domestic and export markets. This uniquely shaped longquan celadon was produced only in small numbers. This type of jar, bearing from five to fifteen tubes, required a great deal of highly skilled hand work to create at a time when most other wares were mass-produced in simpler shape (Zhejiang Bureau 1989: pl. 2). Carved lotus petals and veins alternate around the five-layered body of the vessel.