A carved 'Longquan' celadon 'Lotus' Dish. Ming Dynasty, 15th century. Photo Sotheby's

the rounded sides rising from a tapering foot to an everted foliate rim, the slightly recessed central medallion freely carved with two lotus sprays within double line borders, encircled by further scrolling lotuses at the well and repeated in the exterior, the rim bordered by a lozenge pattern, covered overall in a thick celadon glaze leaving a ring on the underside burnt buff-orange during firing; 44.5cm., 17 1/2 in. Estimate 8,000-12,000 GBP

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. London | 09 Nov 2011 www.sothebys.com