China, Yuan Dynasty, ca. 1280 to 1368 CE. Of all of the incredible items in the Bernheimer's estate of Song to Ming Dynasty ceramics I find this one the most beautiful. When you look into its heavy glaze it is almost like looking at the night sky and seeing the Milky Way. Large wide bowl that rises to the incurved rim covered inside and out with purplish blue glaze with faint streaks of deep blue and deep purple, grey body exposed under the exterior foot. Breath-taking! Size: 7.125" W x 3" H (18.1 cm x 7.6 cm)

For a similar (but in my opinion lesser quality) bowl, see Christies Sale 3767, September 2015, Lot 2338, realizing $7,250.

We have had several people ask why the opening reserves and estimated prices are so low on items where we have shown comparable examples selling many times higher – such as several of the Chinese Song Dynasty vessels. Auctions are a strange phenomenon. We regularly see auction items that are estimated at one price be bid up to 30x the reserve because 2 people badly want the piece. It does not necessarily mean the item is worth that, it means 2 people were willing to pay more than the market value to acquire it. Additionally, the Bernheimer family has instructed us to price the estate at levels that will generate interest and ensure that most of the lots will sell. We believe we have set prices that are very attractive that should guarantee robust bidding. Bidders will have opportunities to obtain fabulous, museum-worthy pieces at prices that are extremely attractive.

Provenance: Ex- Collection of Paul and Louise Bernheimer, Cambridge, MA and Laguna Woods, Ca. Acquired before 1980

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#111661

Choice save two small kiln flaws