遼 三彩海棠形盤

of oblong shape with shallow sides terminating in an everted barbed rim, the interior crisply impressed with three lotus blossoms encircled with amber glaze on a cream-colored ground impressed with wave patterns and splashed with green, the cavetto amber-glazed and the rim glazed in green over a band of scrolling meander, the underside revealing a layer of white slip, the base unglazed, Japanese wood box

There is some slight fritting to the rim and some kiln grit adhered to the surface.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This long shallow shape with foliate rims and intricate molded decoration is derived from repousse gold or silver prototypes. While not able to emulate the fineness of the metal version, the potters worked to achieve the thin elegance of the form and were able to highlight the design with colorful glazes. Two similar examples, one with a green ground and one with a white ground, were excavated in Xiaoliuzhangzi, Nincheng county, Inner Mongolia and datable to the 11th century, were exhibited and illustrated in Gilded Splendor, Treasures of China's Liao Empire, Asia Society and Museum, New York, 2006, pp. 358-359,  cat. nos. 116 a-b. Other examples of this shape and floral design are illsutrated in Toji Taikei, vol. 40, Tokyo, 1974, no 67, col. pl. 21. For a silver plate example of the same form excavated from a hoard in Balin Right Banner see Wenwu, 1980.5, p. 48, fig. 10.