A Chinese Longquan celadon "Dragon And Clouds" plate

Yuan or Ming dynasty

Sold together with associated 20th century box and wooden stand.

Notes: The Longquan kiln was founded around the Three Kingdoms and Jin era, flourished during Song dynasty, and ended in Qing dynasty. Longquan kiln is the longest running kiln for porcelain production in China. The plate is covered in celadon glaze and has a folded rim in the shape of chrysanthemum petals. A three-clawed dragon flies at the center of the plate, surrounded by auspicious clouds. The dragon is depicted in a typical Yuan fashion- meandering, with a small and pointy tail; its flat and long head narrower than its torso, baring fangs and tongue, glaring eyes below its protruding forehead, blowing its horns and mane backwards. The dragon curves its spine energetically, waving its strong limbs and outstretched claws. For similar depiction of dragons, refer to figure 1 and figure 2. Despite being thin, this plate has a folded rim and prominent carvings that establish depth, which requires great craftsmanship to achieve. For similar form factor, refer to figure 3 and figure 4. Considering the characteristics, this plate should be regarded as a rare treasure among other Yuan Longquan wares. For a similar item, see the British Museum, No. 1947,0712.231, as seen in figure 1, and No. PDF,A.219, as seen in figure 2;See also the Chicago Museum, No. 1964.834, as seen in figure 3 and No. 1941.597, as seen in figure 4.See Sotheby's, New York, March 2018, Lot 101;See Sotheby's, Hong Kong, April 2014, Lot 3001.

H: 1, Dia: 7 1/2 in.

H: 2.54, Dia: 19.05 cm. All measurements are approximate.

Provenance: From a lady's estate in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her father collected these objects in Hong Kong prior to the 1970s. Lot 238 - 253 from our Fall 2018 Fine Asian Art Auction was from the same estate.

Condition: Box severely worm-eaten. The plate with glaze defects to the exterior including crazing and possible glaze cracks.

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元代/明代 龍泉龍紋盤（附原配老錦盒）

龍泉窯開創於三國兩晉，鼎盛於宋代，結束於清代，是中國製瓷歷史最長的名窯。本件作品折沿，滿圈刻菊瓣紋，盤心居有一龍，周圍祥雲圍繞，滿施青釉。此龍為「三爪龍」，龍形蜿蜒細長如蛇，頭比身軀小，呈扁長形，露齒吐舌，額頭高凸，兩眼凝視前方，角和發朝向後方。背脊朝上狀如火舌，四足強健，關節彎曲，爪張而有力，尾部漸細而尖，具有典型元代龍紋特征。具體可參閱大英博物館館藏兩件元代龍紋瓷器。此盤造型特別，胎體較為輕薄，滿圈折沿菊瓣紋，刻畫清晰，對工藝的要求更加高，可參考芝加哥美術館兩件元代折沿盤。綜合以上特征，此盤應為元末龍泉窯中少有的精品。

參閱大英博物館館藏，編號1947,0712.231，見圖1；編號PDF,A.219，見圖2；參閱芝加哥博物館館藏，編號1964.834，見圖3；編號1941.597，見圖4。參閱蘇富比2018年03月紐約拍賣，編號101；蘇富比拍賣2014年04月香港拍賣，編號3001。