A MASSIVE LONGQUAN CELADON CHARGER MING DYNASTY, 15TH CENTURY |

robustly potted with rounded sides rising from a tapered foot to a lipped rim, covered overall in an attractive sage-green glaze, save for a broad ring at the base fired to burnt orange

Collection of Charlotte Horstmann (1908-2003).
Christie’s Hong Kong, 26th September 1989, lot 555.

The charger is in very good condition, with only expected surface wear/scratches and characteristic glaze firing imperfections.
"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."

Striking for its magnificent large size, this charger is covered in a rich and even sea-green glaze, the luminosity of which has been accentuated by the lack of surface decoration. Vessels of this fine quality and exceptional dimensions were made in the Longquan kilns from the late 14th century, under the supervision of the Ming court. Dishes of this size are rare and only a small number of related examples is known: a reconstructed dish excavated at the imperial Longquan kilns at Chuzhou, Zhejiang province, is illustrated in Ye Yingting and Hua Yunong, Faxian. Da Ming Chuzhou Longquan guanyao [Discovery. Imperial ware of the great Ming dynasty from Longquan in Chuzhou], Hangzhou, 2005, pl. 6; one was sold in these rooms, 5th October 2016, lot 3639; a slightly larger one in the Idemitsu Museum of Arts, Tokyo, was included in the Museum’s exhibition Gen Min no tōji [Yuan and Ming ceramics], Tokyo, 1977, cat. no. 157; and another from the collection of Cargill and Donna MacMillan, was sold in our New York rooms, 8th May 1981, lot 254, and again at Christie’s New York, 26th March 2010, lot 1356.

Large chargers were made at the Longquan kilns from as early as the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368), and were designed predominantly for export. In the early Ming dynasty, such vessels played an important role in the formation of tributary relations between the Ming imperial court and foreign powers. Large chargers were uniquely adapted to Middle Eastern dining customs, and a significant number of chargers is in the collection of the Ottoman Sultans, now preserved in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul. A miniature depicting their use at a feast held in Topkapi Saray, Istanbul, in the 17th century is illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, ed. John Ayers, London, 1986, vol. 1, p. 45.