Box with lid

Celadon covered boxes in which the lid and the lower portion of the box have a symmetrical shape were popular at the yue kiln during the Tang dynasty. The form was soon potted by other kilns, such as those at Longquan and Jingdezhen in the south and Yaozhou to the north. While Tang yue boxes formed the basic model, Northern Song boxes were often formed with a decreased height and slightly flatter shape. The double-phoenix motif attracted potters who changed the Tang yue's incised lines into carving which left a wider cutting path. With an abstract design scheme coated by a thin layer of glaze, this is a refined example of a longquan attempt to recreate the effects of the yue.