Lot 1134. A Longquan celadon carved and moulded 'Dragon' dish, Yuan dynasty, 13th-14th century, 13 3/8 in. (34 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 12,000 - USD 18,000. Price realised USD 47,500 © Christie's Images Ltd 2011

With shallow rounded sides rising to an everted rim, the center of the interior decorated in relief with a scaly four-clawed dragon leaping in pursuit of a flaming pearl, below scrolls carved in the well, the exterior carved with chrysanthemum petals, all under a glaze of sea-green color, an unglazed circle on the base burnt orange in the firing, wood stand.

Provenance: Frank Caro Co., New York, 21 May 1974. 

Note: The shape of the dragon and position of the pearl on this dish appear to be very similar to a dish of slightly larger size (14 in. diam.) in the Sedgewick Collection, included in the Oriental Ceramic Society exhibition, Celadon Wares, 20 October - 20 December 1947, pl. I, no. 40. Other related dishes are illustrated by R. Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, vol. I, London, 1986, pp. 255-6, nos. 58-62.