15th Century Ming Dynasty Longquan Celadon Charger

A large, heavily potted celadon-glazed stoneware dish featuring incised floral and geometric motifs, characteristic of the Longquan kilns during the early to mid-Ming Dynasty (14th-15th century).

Ming Dynasty Longquan Celadon Charger

Charger / Large Dish

Celadon-glazed stoneware

Good antique condition

Incised (an-hua) floral scrolls and geometric lattice

A substantial circular charger with shallow rounded sides and a slightly everted rim. The interior is decorated with a central medallion of cross-hatched lattice work, surrounded by a broad band of scrolling floral vines in the cavetto. The exterior is undecorated. The entire piece is covered in a thick, sea-green celadon glaze, except for a characteristic unglazed ring on the base.

• •Image 1: Full interior view showing decoration
• •Image 2: Base view showing the unglazed firing ring
• •Image 3: Detail of the central lattice and firing pit
• •Image 4: Profile view showing the potting thickness

• •Visible surface scratches consistent with age and use
• •Small firing burst/pit in the central medallion
• •Kiln grit and minor imperfections on the base
• •Unglazed ring on the base shows natural oxidation to a reddish-orange hue

While Longquan-style celadon was produced for centuries, the specific combination of the oxidized base ring and the 'mutton-fat' glaze texture is most indicative of the 1400s.

Ming Dynasty, 15th Century

• •Style of incised floral decoration typical of the early Ming period
• •Presence of the 'rusty' orange-red unglazed ring on the base, caused by iron in the clay oxidizing during cooling
• •Heavy potting and thick, translucent glaze characteristic of Longquan production
• •Large diameter (37 cm) aligns with Ming export-ware standards

Similar chargers are well-documented in the Topkapi Saray collection in Istanbul and the Ardebil Shrine collection, which were major repositories for 15th-century Chinese celadon exports.

• •None significant; the piece lacks the glassy, uniform finish of modern reproductions

Longquan celadon is frequently reproduced. Modern fakes often use chemical stains to mimic the orange base ring or have perfectly symmetrical, machine-finished foot rims. This example shows hand-finished irregularities.

No reign marks are present, which is standard and expected for Longquan celadon of this era.

• •Naturalistic surface wear and micro-scratching
• •Correct 'iron-red' oxidation on the unglazed base ring
• •Glaze depth and bubble structure appear consistent with period firing
• •Presence of minor firing flaws (pits) typical of non-imperial kiln production

Longquan celadon was one of China's most prestigious exports, highly valued across the Islamic world and Europe. It was famously believed to crack or change color if it touched poisoned food.

These large chargers were often used for communal dining in the Middle East, which explains their prevalence in Persian and Ottoman royal collections.

Large-format Longquan pieces (over 30cm) are highly sought after by collectors of Ming ceramics and Chinese export art.

Valuations are estimates based on recent auction data and are subject to physical inspection and provenance verification.

• •Size: At 37cm, this is a desirable large-scale piece.
• •Condition: The lack of major cracks or chips significantly preserves value.
• •Decoration: The clarity of the incised motifs is a key value driver.

• •Similar 15th-century Longquan chargers (35-40cm) typically realize between $5,000 and $12,000 at Tier 2 auction houses.
• •Exceptional examples with provenance can exceed $20,000 at Tier 1 houses (Christie's/Sotheby's).

• •Obtain a professional appraisal for insurance purposes.
• •Examine the piece under UV light to rule out any professional restorations not visible to the naked eye.
• •Research any possible provenance or history of ownership.

• •Handle with two hands at the base due to the weight of the stoneware.
• •Clean only with lukewarm water and a soft cloth; avoid detergents that could penetrate the glaze crazing.
• •Display on a secure, padded stand designed for heavy chargers.

This is a high-quality, likely authentic 15th-century Longquan celadon charger that represents a significant era of Chinese ceramic export history.

• •Sotheby's or Christie's Chinese Works of Art departments
• •Bonhams Asian Art specialists