A RARE AND IMPORTANT ‘DING’ BOWL NORTHERN SONG DYNASTYPhoto bySotheby’s
There’s nothing quite like finding a hidden treasure, and that’s exactly what happened to one lucky family in New York state. In 2007, they purchased a 1,000-year-old Chinese Ding bowl for just $3 at a local garage sale. Little did they know that they were in possession of a rare piece of Northern Song Dynasty pottery that would soon become the subject of a sales battle and eventually sell for a staggering $2,225,000.
The family displayed the bowl on their mantelpiece for years, unaware of its true worth. It wasn’t until they decided to have the bowl appraised that they discovered its rarity and historical significance. The bowl’s thin potting, fine near-white body, and ivory-colored glaze made it a remarkable and exceptionally beautiful example of Song pottery, according to auctioneers Sotheby’s.
The sale of the Ding bowl was a true underdog story, as Sotheby’s had originally estimated it would only sell for $300,000. However, London dealer Giuseppe Eskenazi recognized its true value and engaged in a prolonged fight with three other collectors to ultimately purchase the bowl for more than seven times its estimated value.
The bowl’s sale is a testament to the power of perseverance and the beauty of rare artifacts. It reminds us that treasures can be found in the most unexpected places, and that there is always value in the things that we possess.
Finally, the story of the Ding bowl is a reminder of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage. These objects connect us to the past and help us understand the world around us. As the demand for Song ceramics grows among Chinese art collectors, we must ensure that these treasures are protected and cherished for generations to come.
