Diameter: 7 3/8 inches (18.7 cm)
Xi Xia Dynasty, Lingwu Kiln (1038 - 1227)

Poetic name: Dancing Soya Sauce

Provenance:
Capital Gallery, International Asian Art Fair, Park Avenue Armory, New York, March 2002
A private Asian collection
A private New York collection
Oxford Authentication Ltd. thermoluminescence test no. P124a95

I was pondering inside an exhibition hall when I spotted from a distance this plate in a display case. I moved forward, bending down like an old man, and gazed at this striking, shining plate. As attracted as I was, still I took no action. That night my dreams were long. The plate that I saw that day was dancing all night long in my dreams, again and again, like a spinning wheel, talking to me.

The next morning, I decided to pay a visit to this plate, but it was gone. A collector had taken it. She and her knowledgeable museum curator had concluded that the plate was TOO GOOD to be true and they would do a TL (thermoluminescence test) on it. I wish I could ask them, “Let’s ask ourselves if we truly LOVE our child and TRUST that he’s completely healthy. Would we ever bring him to hospital for major operation?” I was disappointed to hear the news about “the operation”; at the time I was determined to work on my visualization of drawing the plate to me.

The next morning in the silent city, the phone rang. I was told that I was to be the next new caretaker of this “talkative” plate.

What I learned from this interesting experience and would like to share here, especially with real collectors, is to take action whenever your heart is moved rather than letting the little mind block your smooth path.