Lot 4241. A fine and exceptionally large early Ming Longquan celadon barbed-rim charger, Yongle period (1403-1425), 24 1/4 in. (61.5 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 2,200,000 - HKD 2,800,000. Price realised HKD 2,660,000 © Christie's Images Ltd 2012

Sturdily potted, the slightly convex centre of the dish is 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 has an unglazed ring burnt orange in the firing.

Provenance: A Japanese private collection acquired in the early 1960s
Sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 3 December 2008, lot 2538

Note: It would have been difficult to maintain the shape of these large-sized dishes during the firing process. 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.

Two other examples of this similarly large size were sold, the first from the collection of Frederic Mueller was sold at Christie's New York Rooms, 1 June 1990, lot 168 (63.5 cm.), and the other from the Meiyintang Collection, sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 5 October 2011, lot 7 (62.5 cm.). A slightly smaller 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.) 

A massive barbed rim Longquan celadon charger, Ming dynasty, Yongle period (1403-1425), 62.5 cm, from the Meiyintang Collection. Sold for 4,820,000 HKD at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 5 October 2011, lot 7. Photo: Sotheby's.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 30 May 2012, Hong Kong, HKCEC Grand Hall