Smith & Singer
85

A rare massive 'Longquan' celadon 'loquats' charger
Ming dynasty, 15th century

(2)

Estimate $35,000 – $45,000

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Alternate Views

sturdily potted with fluted sides rising to the barbed everted rim, the interior carved with a central medallion of a fruiting loquat tree, encircled around the cavetto with radiating floral sprays below a foliate meander, the exterior with upright lotus sprays below a further foliate scroll border, covered with an even celadon glaze of sea-green tone, an unglazed ring on the base burnt orange in the firing, wood stand, fitted box

(2)
57 cm diameter

  • Lot Sold SOLD

Provenance

J. Pierpoint Morgan Collection, New York
Wilkins Coffee Company, Washington D.C. acquired from C.T. Loo, New York, 1 April 1960 (by repute)
Private Collection, Sydney

Show Catalogue Notes

Catalogue Notes

This charger is impressive for its spectacular large size and the rare finely carved design of a leafy loquat tree within radiating flowering sprays. It belongs to a group of high quality Longquan celadon wares produced in the late 14th to early 15th centuries that were characterized by their bold carved designs that are comparable with the blue and white porcelain being produced at the time. During the early Ming dynasty, the Longquan kilns appear to have worked closely with the imperial porcelain kilns at Jingdezhen, making wares of similar form, decoration and quality.

Compare with two chargers depicting fruiting peach trees in the central medallion, published in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, 1986, vol. 1, p. 301, no. 237; a charger of similar large size and form also decorated with a fruiting loquat tree, sold Christie's Hong Kong, 30 November 2011, lot 3011; see also a charger decorated with a flower head surrounded by a lotus meander on the interior, published in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, 1986, vol.1, pl. 245; one decorated with a central peony medallion encircled with Indian lotus sprigs on the interior, sold Sotheby's New York, 20 March 2012, lot 39; and a dish with a tree peony in the central medallion, sold Sotheby's Hong Kong, 8 October 2013, lot 221. An undecorated charger of this form and size is illustrated in Chinese Ceramics from the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1987, pl. 595; and one from the Meiyintang Collection Part II, sold Sotheby's Hong Kong, 5 October 2011, lot 7.

Condition Report

The charger has been restored and has areas of over painting. The restoration does not show up under a black light. An indication of the damage from an x-ray is available on request.

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 Australia is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Saleroom Notices regarding this sale. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS.

CONTACT INFORMATION +

Specialists

Guy Cairnduff

Head

Arts & Design
Melbourne
T: +61 (0)3 9508 9900
E: Guy Cairnduff


Geoffrey Smith

Chairman

Australian & International Art
Melbourne  |  Sydney
T: +61 (0)3 9508 9900
T: +61 (0)2 9302 2402
E: Geoffrey Smith
  

Alison Alford

Alison Alford

Specialist Consultant

Arts & Design
Sydney
T: +61 (0)2 9302 2402
E: Alison Alford

Anthony Hurl

Specialist Consultant

Arts & Design
Adelaide
T: +61 (0)8 7225 7836
E: Anthony Hur
       

Ann Roberts

Ann Roberts

Specialist Consultant, Asian Art

Arts & Design
Melbourne
T: +61 (0)3 9508 9900
E: Ann Roberts

Fiona Hayward

Fiona Hayward

Senior Specialist

Australian & International Art
Melbourne
T: +61 (0)3 9508 9900
E: Fiona Hayward

     

Brett Ballard

Brett Ballard

Senior Specialist

Australian & International Art
Sydney
T: +61 (0)2 9302 2402
E: Brett Ballard

Liza Hallam

Administrator

Arts & Design
Melbourne
T: +61 (0)3 9508 9900
E: Liza Hallam
Fine Asian, Australian & European Arts & Design

AU0815  |  21 Jun 2017  |  Sydney
5.30 pm


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