A large longquan celadon carved dish, Ming dynasty. 15th century

Heavily potted with shallow rounded sides, the center carved with a central peony spray below two lotus sprays and two peony sprays in the well, covered overall with a glaze of olive-green tone except for an unglazed ring on the base burnt orange in the firing
18 7/8 in. (47.9 cm.) diam., box, wood stand - Estimate: $7,000 - $9,000

Notes : Several examples of this type are known, including two illustrated by J. Harrison-Hall in Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, London, 2001, no. 16:74, one larger dish carved on the interior with an elaborate leafy peony scroll, and no. 16:73, another of slightly smaller size, also carved in similar fashion with a floral scroll in the well.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. 17 September 2008. New York, Rockefeller Plaza. www.christies.com