Lot 1982. A fine small Longquan celadon petal-lobed bowl, Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279); 3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 50,000 - HKD 70,000. Price realised HKD 81,250. © Christie's Images Ltd 2010.

Delicately potted with rounded, vertically-lobed sides rising from a small foot ring, covered all over with a luminous glaze of sea-green tone suffused with a network of icy, colourless crackle, the interior of the foot and pointed base similarly glazed.

Note: A very similar Longquan celadon bowl is illustrated by R. Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 3 (II), London, 2006, p. 583, no. 1572. The barbed form appears to be based on a prototype in silver, such as the silver-gilt bowl illustrated in Zhongguo wenwu jinghua doquan; Jin yin yu shi juan (Complete Masterpieces of Chinese Cultural Relics; Gold, Silver, Jade and Stone), Hong Kong, 1994, p. 139, no. 146, which was recovered from a Song dynasty hoard at Pingqiao, Liyang, in Jiangsu province.

Christie's. The Imperial Sale Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 31 May 2010