Lot 2538. A fine and exceptionally large Early Ming Longquan celadon barbed-rim charger, Ming dynasty, 14th-Early 15th century; 24 1/4 in. (61.5 cm.) wide. Estimate HK$500,000 - HK$700,000 ($64,825 - $90,755). Price Realized HK$2,420,000 ($313,657). © Christie's Image Ltd 2008.

Sturdily potted, the slightly convex centre encircled by a flaring petal-moulded well rising to the barbed everted rim with raised edge, covered with a lustrous glaze of rich sea-green tone, continuing over the moulded foot rim onto the base, the underside with an unglazed ring burnt orange in the firing, Japanese wood box.  

Provenance: A Japanese private collection acquired in the early 1960's

Note: Similar chargers are illustrated by R. Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, vol. 1, Catalogue, no. 245; by M. Sullivan in Chinese Ceramics, Bronzes and Jades in the Collection of Sir Alan and Lady Barlow, pl. 103a; and in the Catalogue of the 15th Anniversary of the Idemitsu Museum, Japan, 1981, no. 873. An example from the Edward T. Chow and T.Y. Chao collections was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 18 November 1986, lot 27 (48 cm.); while a slightly larger example from the collection of Frederic Mueller was sold at Christie's New York Rooms, 1 June 1990, lot 168 (63.5 cm.).

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. 3 December 2008. Hong Kong.