15th C. Ming Dynasty Longquan Celadon Dish
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GUEST:
My family come from China, Canton, and I heard that, like, in the 1930s, my father was well-to-do-- that was before I was born-- and he loaned some money to a friend, and some time later, the friend came back. He said, "I cannot afford to pay you back, so just take this dish." So, so my father took it home, and give it to my grandfather, and he use it to keep the bean curd-- tofu, you know?
APPRAISER:
Really?
GUEST:
Yes.
(both laugh)
APPRAISER:
Well, this is a Ming Dynasty, Longquan celadon dish, probably made in the 15th century. Now, celadon is a glaze that's made out of iron oxide as a colorant fired in a reducing atmosphere.
GUEST:
Oh.
APPRAISER:
And it is one of the most popular glazes in China. It's made in Zhejiang province, in the Longquan kilns. This was a highly prized glaze. This glaze was also used on pottery and porcelain, both for imperial use and for domestic use. Sometimes you can achieve this little craquelure that you see on the surface of the glaze through this firing, which is also a coveted result of the firing. And here you have a decoration of peony blossoms and beautiful leafy foliage around the exterior. This is a molded decoration with some hand carving, and a beautiful example of its type. About ten years ago, a flood of these came on the market, and so the price went down at auction. Ten years ago, this piece might have only been worth about, oh, $1,000 to $1,500. But now, with the influx of new Chinese, mainland Chinese bidders at auction, currently, I would estimate this piece to bring between $5,000 and $8,000 at auction.
GUEST:
Oh! Amazing!
APPRAISER:
Oh, it's really a wonderful example. Thank you very much for bringing it in.
GUEST:
You're welcome, thank you!
Appraisal Details
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