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republic period or not

by Stan
(Milwaukie Oregon)

Hi Peter, here is a vase that I bought a long time ago, 15 years or so, I bought it because it is a beautiful vase, is the mark on the bottom spurious or republic period, the vase looks fairly new, but I don't know that much about the republic period other than what I read on your site, thanks from Stan.

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republic period or not

by stan
(Milwaukie Oregon)

Hi again Peter, here is some close up pictures. thanks from Stan.

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Jul 02, 2013
 vases
by: peter

Stan, you haven't by chance kept the links of the past auctions mentioned? Would be interested in looking at the items...

PS: BTW, contacting me by email or via contact form is fine.
Jul 01, 2013
 vase
by: peter

Thanks for the information, Stan.
I'm not informed about the prices of the large auction houses at all.
Probably the price for vases of that period went up in the last few years, as the they buy more of the early republic items now; the market in China is probably depleted of 18th century quality items. (BTW, I was told that now even in China 95% of the antique porcelain on the market are fakes!)
I seldom see such vases here in Taiwan, but that could be because many Chinese antiques flow back to China, rather than that they sell them here at a lower price level. Years ago, they would import antiques in container loads, but now as the prices in mainland China are higher, they sell them back. Some of the smaller Chinese auction houses come over here to look for items for auctioning in China.
But, that such vases should be in the ten thousands of dollars would be a bit of a surprise. I have two pairs of vases which would fit into the time bracket of late Qing/early republic, all in pristine condition.

Thanks again, I have too little price information, it seems.
Jul 01, 2013
 thought you would be interested
by: stan day

Hi Peter, awhile ago I had four Chinese gentlemen come to my house to look and a vase, that they were willing to pay $1500.00. I did not sell that vase, but I did get it appraised later and it appraised for $8000.00 to $10,000.00, however they did by this vase for $800.00. after getting the appraisal on the other vase, I started thinking that I sold this vase to cheep so I looked on Christies past auctions under early republic and I saw items that had sold from $30,000. To $65,000. and it was not as nice in my opinion, you said you have vases like this, I think they are quite valuable, but you probably already know that.
Apr 13, 2011
 republic period or not
by: Stan

Thanks Peter for your good information, I believe the same thing, that they will increase in value because of the high quality, but I am particular to the blue and white, I always have been, there is something that has always attracted my to it even the American and European early Flow Blue. I do not have a lot of it but the pieces that I do have are quite nice. here is some close ups of the overall vase, thanks again Peter for sharing your knowledge, it is much appreciated. from Stan.
Apr 13, 2011
 age of vase
by: peter

Stan, all is possible, but with this type of vase it is important to look closer at the decoration.
As the age signs are fewer it is important that we need to look more closely at the decoration, because that was changing a lot during the republican period. It can provide a clue to the possible age.
That is why I think the overall pictures of your first submission are not clear enough. It is better to scrutinize the whole painted decoration, in this specific case. BTW, has the vase any writing on the back?

I wouldn't pay too much attention to whether this vase was made before or after 1920. I have also vases similar as the blue and white late Qing ones you showed, and also republican vases which age-wise are more similar to the current vase.

Personally I prefer these republic vases because they are better executed, artistically. The late Qing ones are sometimes rather crude.

I also expect the value of those of better quality will increase their value over the older BW ones in the coming years. But, when collecting these we must see that the newer ones are in good condition, otherwise they will have less value.
Apr 13, 2011
 republic period or not
by: Stan

Hi Peter, there is not a scratch on this vase, if I had not owned it for 15 years, I would say it is new, or it sat in a china cabinet for years, the inside has a lot of dirt and it looks like someone tried to clean it at one point, you can see ware they left streaks from the removing of dirt here and there and you can see inside ware there is glaze that is missing in spots from the firing and there is small dimples here and there but hardly noticeable, the piece is 13 1/2" high and 5"wide the porcelain itself is of high quality, under a light you can see through it and when you click it with your finger it makes a high ring sound, there are no scratches at the top or anywhere on this vase, could a piece look this good of high quality porcelain and still be from 1920 or earlier, thank Peter for your help, from Stan.
Apr 12, 2011
 vase
by: peter

Hi Stan,
It is getting more difficult as the items get 'younger', as there are less age signs to judge.
From the visible decoration alone I would say perhaps second quarter of 20th century, but a better view of all the decoration would be of advantage, as age signs will be fewer.

The red seal stamp is a spurious Qianlong mark. Qianlong marks were frequently used in the republican period. The footrim seems to be OK, but has the bottom any age signs?
Anything inside or at the top rim? Usage traces like irregular scratches or wear of the on-glaze colors?
Gilt is most prone to wear. Does it have any around the rim that looks worn?

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rebublic vase or not

by Stan
(Milwaukie Oregon)

Here is more close up photo's, Peter.

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Apr 14, 2011
 newer vase
by: Stan

That is what I suspected, It is a very nice vase but I think it is newer as well, thanks for confirming that for me.
Apr 13, 2011
 vase
by: peter

This one is a bit tough to evaluate.

Judging from the spotless bottom and the colors used, I would guess this is perhaps second quarter of the 20th century, rather than early republic. The other vase appears to be earlier. The faces and eyes are also painted in a different style.
Not so sure about this one, Stan.

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rebublic vase or not

by Stan
(Milwaukie Oregon)

Hi Peter, here is the close ups of the whole scene, there is no writing on the back of this vase, but I do have some that does have writing on the back, I will send those for evaluation and discussion, thanks again from Stan.

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