Nicolas Chow (International Head of Chinese Art at Sotheby’s) says, “I mean we didn’t expect quite that price, but we knew there was going to be a fight. Every time there is a piece of Ru-ware which is, you know, an extremely unusual occurrence, there’s always a battle because it is the most talked about, the most celebrated of all wares in the history of Chinese ceramics.”
The bowl was made in the most prestigious imperial kiln called the Ru Guanyao which Historians believe was only in use for 20 years, making its products quite rare. According to the auction house, the dish was made around the 10th or 11th Century. It went to an anonymous bidder after a 20-minute bidding war. It seems safe to say the new owner won’t be scooping their morning cereal out of it.