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Bought For A Few Dollars In 2007, Piece Was Identified As Ding From The Song Dynasty And Was Auctioned At Sotheby’s For US$ 2.2 Million.
A bowl bought for US$ 3 at a garage sale in New York State turned out to be a specimen of Ding porcelain from the Northern Song Dynasty (10th–11th centuries) and was auctioned for US$ 2.225 million on March 19, 2013, at Sotheby’s in New York.
The selling family remained anonymous. The piece has just over 12.5 cm in diameter. The information was confirmed by Reuters with data provided by the auction house itself.
Sotheby’s had estimated the bowl to be worth between US$ 200,000 and US$ 300,000, but the bidding drove the final price up. The buyer was London dealer Giuseppe Eskenazi, one of the most recognized names in the Chinese art market, as reported by ABC News.
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According to Sotheby’s catalog, there is only one other known example, with nearly identical shape, size, and decoration, preserved in the British Museum in London. The lot describes the characteristic ivory finish and the incised lotus decoration.
The family had purchased the piece in 2007 and kept it at home, unaware of its historical value. After consulting experts, they decided to consign it to auction.
What Is Ding Ceramics And Why Is It So Valuable
Ding is one of the “five great kilns” celebrated by collectors for Song ceramics. The pieces are known for their thin walls, almost white body, and ivory glaze that forms small “tears” at the base. These attributes, combined with refined execution and rarity, sustain high prices.
The auctioned piece displays incised lotus motifs on the interior and overlapping leaves molded on the exterior, a recurring repertoire of Song aesthetics, which favors sobriety and naturalism.
Besides technique, the scarcity weighs in. The catalog points to the existence of only one closely related parallel at the British Museum, which reduces the available supply and increases competition among collectors and institutions.
The Authentication, The Estimate, And The Auction Result
According to Reuters, the owners took the piece to experts, who confirmed it as a Ding from the Northern Song. Based on typological comparison and condition, Sotheby’s set the estimate at US$ 200,000–300,000, but the bidding raised the hammer to US$ 2.225 million (including commission).
The buyer was identified by ABC News as Giuseppe Eskenazi, who stated that he considered the bowl “perfect” and was willing to pay more, given the level of preservation and the importance of the decorative motif.
The uniqueness was also a key factor: Sotheby’s highlights that only one other similar example is in public collection, which helps explain the gap between estimate and final price. Beyond monetary value, the case reinforces the role of museum catalogs and specialized publications in authentication.
Inside The Song Dynasty And The “Song Effect” In The Market
The Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127) is revered for its technical refinement and restrained aesthetics. Ceramics from this period, such as Ding, have become synonymous with excellence and subtlety, standards that continue to shape collector tastes today, as noted in Sotheby’s catalog entries.
In the 20th century, Song works migrated to Western collections through donations and purchases — such as the related example in the British Museum. This well-documented provenance history increases market confidence and serves as a comparative standard for new attributions.
The renewed interest in Asian art has maintained a robust demand for significant Song works, which sustains high prices when rare pieces with clear provenance and catalog publication emerge.
Finds At Garage Sales
Cases like this are uncommon, but not unique. In 2021, a buyer in Connecticut paid US$ 35 for a bowl that was later confirmed to be Ming (Yongle period) and was sold for US$ 721,800 at Sotheby’s, after authentication and publicity. The episode illustrates how expert verification and provenance determine price and trust.
For those hunting for treasures, the advice is to not restore the piece on your own, photograph it, and consult experts or auction houses with Asian art departments. In parallel, it is wise to check the heritage and export rules of the country of origin and the country where the piece is located, as legal compliance also affects the sale.
And you? Faced with such a rarity, would you sell to the private market or prefer to see the piece in a museum? Comment: Is a record price a fair recognition of historical value or a sign of speculation in the art market? What should be the ideal destination for archaeological finds at garage sales?
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