A large carved 'Longquan' celadon 'Lotus' bowl. Ming Dynasty, 14th century. Photo Sotheby's

the deep fluted sides rising from a tapering foot to a foliate rim, the exterior freely carved with nine lotus blooms rising from meandering leafy stems, the interior with a single lotus spray in the centre surrounded by further lotus blooms borne on undulating stems with trefoil leaves, covered overall with a pale celadon glaze with an unglazed ring at the base revealing the buff-coloured body; 35.2cm., 13 7/8 in. Estimate 7,000-9,000 GBP

PROVENANCE: Christie's London, 5th December 1994, lot 177.

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