Lot 879. A small lotus-petal dish with incised decoration, Lý dynasty, 11th-13th century; 4 1/8 (1.5cm) diameter. Estimate US$ 1,000 - 1,500 (€850 - 1,300). Sold for US$ 400 (€337). Photo: Bonhams.  

Carefully molded with walls shaped as extruding lotus petal covered with a celadon-tinged glaze, the tiny raised pearls along the lip showing traces of iron wash that also color a row of impressed pearls framing a leaf scroll roundel incised across the unglazed floor, the deeply recessed base and foot also left unglazed.  

Note: For small dishes of similar form, see John Stevenson and John Guy, Vietnamese Ceramics: A Separate Tradition, 1997, pP. 192-194, nos. 45-48; and their possible use as offering trays discussed by John Stevenson on pp. 117-118.

Bonhams. FINE ASIAN WORKS OF ART, 18 Dec 2017, 11:00 PST, SAN FRANCISCO