A FINE ‘DING’ FOLIATE ‘LOTUS’ DISH SONG DYNASTY

the shallow concave base supported on a neatly trimmed foot, rising to wide flaring sides and a hexa-lobed rim, the interior freely carved with a leafy bouquet bearing three lotus blooms, covered overall in a creamy ivory glaze, falling into characteristic teardrops to the exterior, the rim bound with copper

Collection of Frederick T. Fuller, until 1965.
Christie’s London, 28th/29th June 1965, lot 277 (1000 gns).
Bluett & Sons Ltd, London, 1965 (1000 gns.).
Collection of Roger Pilkington (1928-69), from 1965 (£1500). 

Good condition.
"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."

‘Ding’ wares made in Quyang, Hebei province ranks among the Five Great Wares of the Song dynasty (960-1279) and are one of the most famous types of Chinese ceramics. This dish features a most representative and elegant form of ‘Ding’ wares. A dish of similar size and decoration, but with plain rim, was sold at Christie’s London, 8th December 1986, lot 232, and again in our New York rooms, 23rd March 2011, lot 513, as part of a private collection of Song ceramics. A dish of similar form without decoration, from the J.T. Tai collection, was sold in our New York rooms, 22nd March 2011, lot 294. Two other undecorated ‘Ding’ dishes of similar form excavated from the clan cemetery of the famous Northern Song connoisseur and scholar Lu Dalin (1038-1093) were exhibited at the Arthur M. Sackler Museum of Art and Archaeology, Peking University, 2013, see Yishi tong diao [A tone through ages, Fine relics unearthed from the cemetery of the Lu Clan in Lantian, Shaanxi province], Beijing, 2013, cat. nos. 30-31.