Lot 555. A fine molded 'Ding' chrysanthemum-shaped dish, Song-Jin dynasty (960-1234); diameter 8 3/8 in., 21.3 cm. Estimate 50,000 — 70,000 USD. Lot sold 98,500 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

finely molded to the flat interior with a recumbent deer with a ribbon tied around its neck, resting amidst dense foliage and flowers, the shallow well fluted and rising to a flaring rim molded with overlapping petal tips and clustered stamen, all within a raised rim of scalloped form, applied throughout with a transparent glaze of grayish-cream tone, the rim unglazed.

Provenance: J.J Lally & Co., New York.

Sotheby's. Harmony of Form, Serenity of Color: A Private Collection of 'Song' Ceramics, New York, 23 march 2011