Yuan or early Ming dynasty, 13th / 14th century
Longquan Ware bowl with a slightly flared mouth rim, incised briefly with some floriated pattern, overall covered with green glaze, the foot with no glaze burnt brownish red during the firing, a small chip to the rim which could be easily restore if desired, a firing gap to the rim, some glaze wear to the inner bottom of the bowl
Longquan was a market town in Zhejiang province. These green wares were produced at a great many kilns in the area during the Song, Yuan and Ming dynasties (overall AD 960-1644). While Longquan wares were particularly valued in China for their jade-like colour and texture, they were also exported in great quantities. In the Near and Middle East, large Longquan ware dishes were used for communal dining, and for testing food before a meal. It was believed that the greenware would react if poisoned food were placed on the dish.