An unusual 'Longquan' celadon dish. Ming Dynasty, Hongwu Period. Photo Sotheby's

of shallow form, the interior well carved with a central floral medallion within a triple line border enclosed by wide band of lotus scroll, the flowers borne on leafy stems, encircled by a plain cavetto, the narrow everted rim incised with a keyfret border, covered overall with a rich green-blue glaze, the base with a central unglazed ring burnt orange in the firing; Diameter 7 3/8 in., 18.7 cm. Estimate 20,000-30,000 USD

PROVENANCE: Sotheby's London, 15th April 1980, lot 201.

NOTE: More typically assigned to underglaze-red and blue, it is rare to see this form and decoration in Longquan celadon.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. New York. 14 september 2011 www.sothebys.com