Lot 285. A molded and carved Longquan celadon dish, Yuan dynasty, late 13th-early 14th century; .33.3cm diam. Price Realized $7,170  (Estimate $8,000 - $12,000) © Christie's Image 2013

With rounded sides rising to a flat, everted rim, the interior decorated in relief with a four-claw, scaly dragon leaping in pursuit of a flaming pearl below a band of foliate scroll fluidly carved in the well, the exterior carved with a frieze of upright petals, all under a glaze of sea-green tone thinning on the raised areas, the base similarly glazed.

Provenance: Acquired in Japan between 1945 and 1949.

Note: A celadon dish of similar design is illustrated in Chinese Celadons and Other Related Wares in Southeast Asia, Southeast Asian Ceramic Society, Singapore, 1979, cover and pls. 128 and 129. See, also, Sougen no bijutsu (The Art of the Song and Yuan dynasties), Osaka Municipal Art Museum, 1978, p. 20. pl. 62. Other celadon dishes of this design are illustrated by J. Ayers and R. Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, vol. I, London, 1986, pp. 255-6, nos. 58-62. 

Compare, also, the dish of similar design sold in these rooms, 20 March 2001, lot 209. 

CHRISTIE'S. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 18 September 2003, New York, Rockefeller Plaza