Lot 3213. A rare large Longquan celadon basin, Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279); 11 7/8 in. (30.1 cm.) diam. Estimate 800,000 - HKD 1,200,000. Price Realized HK$937,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2015 

The shallow basin is sturdily potted with rounded, flaring sides that rise to the flat, everted rim, and is covered overall in a lustrous pale greyish-green glaze, Japanese double wood box with inscription by Fujio Koyama (1900-1975). 

Note: Many LongQuan wares in the Song dynasty were modelled after themes and shapes from the Han dynasty, including the basin. Most basins found in the Song dynasty, however, bear the more common 'twin fish' motif, rather than the rare undecorated type. A celadon basin of similar shape but with a slightly wider rim is illustrated in Longquan Celadon - the Sichuan Museum Collection, Macau Municipal Council, 1998, p. 132. Compare also a smaller basin (16.9 cm. diam.), illustrated in Lung-Chuan Ware of The Sung Dynasty Porcelain of the National Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 1962, nos. 18 and 18a.

CHRISTIE'S. THE IMPERIAL SALE & IMPORTANT CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 3 June 2015, Convention Hall