Lot 104. A rare celadon basin, Yuan-Ming dynasty (1279-1644); diameter 12 1/2 in., 31.8 cm. Estimate 6,000 — 8,000 USD. Lot sold 12,000 USD. © Sotheby's.

sturdily potted with deep rounded sides rising to an everted rim, the interior carved with two fish left in the biscuit, swimming around the perimeter of the well of tossing waves, the sides deftly carved with floral sprays, the rim with a herring-bone band, the underside with wispy floral scrolls beneath a key scroll band, all under a rich olive-green glaze save for the fish and base burnt a bright orange in the firing, (stand).

Note: Large celadon dishes with fish left in the biscuit are relatively rare.  Compare a 15th century, twelve-sided dish with three molded fish in the Topkapi Saray Museum, illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, vol. 1, London, 1986, pl. 364.   

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York, 31 mars 2005