A pair of small Yaozhou celadon molded dishes, Northern Song-Jin dynasty, 11th-12th century. Estimate $4,000 – $6,000. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015
Each has shallow, rounded sides that rise to a lipped rim, and is molded on the bottom of the interior with a stem bearing three chrysanthemum blossoms amidst a dense ground of small curling leaves, below a narrow sawtooth border and leaf scroll in the well, and each is covered overall with a glaze of dark olive color that thins on the raised areas. 4 ¼ in. (10.9 cm.) diam.
Provenance: Christie's London, 19 December 1990, lot 108.
Notes: Compare the Yaozhou celadon molded dishes of the same shape, with a similar design, but of larger size (20.5 cm. and 19.3 cm.), illustrated by J. Wirgin, Sung Ceramic Designs, London, 1979 reprint, pl. 2 j and k, as well as pl. 2 i, described as a basin, which looks to have a rim very similar to that of the present dishes.
Christie's. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 17 - 18 September 2015, New York, Rockefeller Plaza