A LARGE 'LONGQUAN' CELADON BARBED-RIM DISH MING DYNASTY, 15TH CENTURY

the robustly-potted body with lobed rounded sides rising from a short tapering foot to an everted barbed rim, finely moulded to the interior with a trellis diaper medallion, encircled in the well by a freely incised leafy floral scroll, covered overall in a thick olive-green glaze, the base with a ring burnt orange in firing 

This large dish is in very good condition with the exception of an 8mm shallow glaze flake to the interior, some very minor glaze firing imperfections including tiny iron-spots and glaze pulls to the interior and exterior and glaze scratches. It should be noted that the glaze is of a slightly richer blue-green tobne than the catalogue illustration would suggest.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This dish is a fine representative of the Longquan kiln's production during the early fifteenth century, when large quantities of wares were produced for the Middle Eastern market. In its form and magnificent large size, vessels of this type catered to the communal eating traditions of the Middle East. For dishes of this decoration and similar large size see three illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, vol. I, London, 1986, pls. 346, 347, 348, together with smaller dishes decorated with this central design pattern and barbed rim, pls. 349 and 350. Compare also a dish in the  Ningpo City Museum included in Celadons from the Longquan Kilns, Taipei, 1998, pl. 269. Ningpo was a well established trading harbour during the Ming dynasty for the export of 'Longchuan' celadon wares by sea.

Compare another related dish sold in our London rooms, 1/2nd April 1974, lot 140; one sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 17th November 1975, lot 25; and a third slightly smaller example recently sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27th october 2003, lot 612.