A 'yaozhou' 'lotus' bowl. Northern Song dynasty

A 'yaozhou' 'lotus' bowl. Northern Song dynasty

with gently rounded sides rising to a filet set beneath a rounded rim, the interior carved in a medallion with an open lotus blossom and a furled lotus leaf viewed in profile against a ground of scrolling foliage, covered in a light olive-green glaze, pooling in the recesses to a deeper colour. 19.1cm., 7 1/2 in. Est. 4,000—6,000 GBP

PROVENANCE: Private Collection, Hong Kong.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. 13 May 09. London www.sothebys.com photo courtesy Sotheby's.