A Finely Carved 'Longquan' Celadon 'Lotus' Bowl Ming Dynasty, 15th Century

the circular bowl with rounded sides and flared lip, all on a low irregularly-cut foot ring, the exterior carved with a continuous lotus-scroll, leiwen border to the lip, the interior centered by a lotus blossom amidst foliage, the sides with a continuous lotus scroll, a classic scroll border around the lip, the body covered with a pale sage-green glaze, inside of foot with unglazed ring burned orange-red, Japanese wood box (2)

overall very good condition, slight tinge of orange-brown to glaze around lip and footring, interior of bowl with some abrasion, scattered small brown specks and pits to glaze, a few scattered minor scratches to surface. The bowl is much deeper than the catalogue image suggests. It is also a slightly deeper green than on the image.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A bowl of similar high quality and decoration is in the collection of the British Museum, illustrated in Jessica Harrison-Hall, Catalogue of Late Yuan and Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, London, 2001, no. 16:50, p. 481, where Harrison-Hall notes that wares of this refinement were only made for a relatively short time. For related examples compare the bowl sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 8th October 1990, lot 410; another sold in our London rooms, 12th June 1990, lot 186; and a third from the Collection of Jack Chia, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 5th November 1996, lot 637. Compare also the slightly smaller bowl sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 25th April 2004, lot 281.