A MOULDED ‘LONGQUAN’ CELADON BOWL EARLY MING DYNASTY

heavily potted with deep rounded sides, resting on a straight foot, the interior moulded with a five-fold floral medallion, encircled by shaped panels variously depicting figures from Pipa Ji [Tale of the Pipa], each dressed in official attire and identified by their inscribed official titles, divided by narrow panels enclosing latticed fences and furniture, all below a key-fret band repeated on the exterior rim, densely covered in an opaque sea-green glaze, the base with an unglazed ring revealing the buff-orange body

Collection of Edward T. Chow (1910-80).
Bluett & Sons Ltd, London, 1960 (£132).
Collection of Roger Pilkington (1928-69), from 1961 (£185).

The bowl is in good condition, with just minor surface wear and typical firing irregularities.
"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 decorated to the interior with characters from the 14th-century drama Pipa ji [Tale of the Pipa] by the scholar Gao Ming (c. 1305-1370), which recounts the story of the scholar Cai Yong, zi Bojie, and his wife Zhao Wuniang. Each character is identified through an inscription, with Cai Yong depicted riding a mule with attendants, while his wife plays the flute. This drama was particularly acclaimed by the Hongwu Emperor (r. 1368-98), who is said to have ordered his actors to perform it daily.

A bowl of this type in the Baur collection is illustrated in John Ayers, The Baur Collection, Geneva. Chinese Ceramics, Geneva, 1968-74, vol. 1, pl. A 113; another from the collection of George Eumorfopoulos and now in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, is illustrated in R.L. Hobson, The George Eumorfopoulos Collection of the Chinese, Corean and Persian Pottery and Porcelain, London, 1925-8, vol. 2, pl. XXXIV, no. B132; and two bowls from the Carl Kempe collection were sold in our London rooms, 14th May 2008, lot 333 and 334, the former also published in Bo Gyllensvärd, Chinese Ceramics in the Carl Kempe Collection, Stockholm, 1964, pl. 142.