A 'Longquan ' celadon tripod bulb bowl. Ming Dynasty, 15th century. Photo Sotheby"s

heavily potted and raised on three mask-and-paw feet, the shallow rounded sides carved with the 'Eight Trigrams', between bands of applied florets encircling the incurved rim and base, covered with a sea-green glaze falling short of the barbed-rim diaper medallion impressed on the interior and the raised beveled disc on the base, both burnt orange in the firing. Diameter 12 in., 30.5 cm. Estimate 15,000-20,000 USD

PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Richard and Mrs. Mary Eckhardt, acquired in Japan between 1947-1952 while Dr. Eckhardt was serving as a surgeon in the United States Army and thence by descent.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. New York | 20 Mar 2012 www.sotheby's.com