'Longquan' celadon Barbed and Incised Charger. Ming dynasty, 15th century

thickly potted with shallow curved sides, the center freely carved with a floral spray, encircled by a band of floral sprays on the fluted cavetto, a similar motif repeated on the exterior, the barbed everted rim echoing the floral form, covered overall in a unctuous sea-green glaze pooling to a deeper tone in the recesses and covering the foot ring, an unglazed ring on the underside burnt orange in the firing - diameter 16 in., 40.6 cm - Estimate: 20,000—30,000 USD

Provenance: - The Jade Dragon, Ann Arbor, Michigan (until 1998).
- Private collection, Florida.
- Thereafter with the present owner

Notes: The present piece is impressive for its large size and the free, flowing lines of the decoration that complement the shape of the dish. Utilized at princely banquets, large celadon dishes were particularly admired in the Near East and numerous examples are found in the Topkapi Saray, Istanbul, and the Ardebil Shrine in Iraq.

A similar example with closely related carving is illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, vol. 1, London, 1986, pl. 293. Compare also a dish sold in our London rooms, 25th March 1975, lot 243; a slightly smaller example sold at Christie's New York, 20th November 1979, lot 179; and a smaller version with a more elaborate lotus blossom sold in our London rooms, 7th December 1993, lot 217.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art including Chinese and Japanese Art from The Collection of Frieda and Milton Rosenthal. 16 Sep 08. www.sotheby's.com