A FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE IMPERIAL LONGQUAN CELADON-GLAZED 'DRAGON' BOWL 14TH CENTURY

the rounded sides supported on a slightly splayed foot rising to an everted mouthrim, carved on the interior with a stylised flower enclosed within a continuous scroll of lotus, all encircled by two sinuous five-clawed dragons striding amongst clouds, the exterior carved with a band of upright lappets above the key-fret-body foot, covered overall with a thick glossy celadon-green glaze save for an unglazed ring on the base exposing the russet

An old Japanese collection in Nagoya.

There is a very shallow and mintue glaze flake of 0.3 cm to the mouthrim, but otherwise the overall condition is very good with only some minor iron spots and typical scratches (especially to the interior). The carving is crisp and clear. The actual colour is a little deeper than in the catalogue illustration.
"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 bowl is unique for its incised decoration which appears to have been inspired by blue-and-white designs contemporary to its time. A related bowl carved with broader lappets below a classic scroll on the exterior and a key-fret band bordering the rim of the interior, and flecked with spots of iron oxide, in the Idemitsu Museum, Tokyo, was included in the exhibition Getting to Know Ceramics V. The Beauty of Celadon – Searching for the Forbidden Color, Idemitsu Museum of Arts, Tokyo, 2006, cat. no. 50. See a bowl of this size but of rounded form and lacking a foot, carved with lotus sprays on the interior and the exterior with lappets below a key-fret band, sold in our London rooms, 11^th December 1984, lot 272.

For the blue and white counterpart to this piece, see a bowl decorated with rectangular lotus petals below a band of lingzhi fungus on the exterior, the interior with branches of bamboo and prunus around a lingzhi fungus in the centre and a classic scroll bordering the rim, sold in our London rooms, 15^th May 1967, lot 99; and another, but the interior with a floral medallion centre, also sold in our London rooms, 18^th December 1996, lot 867.