Skip to main content
Curiosa
Sign InTry a scan

Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Plate, 20th Century

A Chinese blue and white porcelain plate with floral designs and geometric borders.

Estimated value

$40 - $120

Rarity

Ordinary(3/10)

Era

Mid-20th Century (approx. 1920-1970)

Origin

🇨🇳 China

Authenticity

High(75%)
20

CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE PORCELAIN PLATE, 20TH CENTURY: IDENTIFICATION

A blue and white porcelain plate decorated with a central floral spray including chrysanthemums and peonies. The cavetto and rim feature four repeating floral cartouches separated by a geometric diaper pattern border. The execution shows linear underglaze cobalt blue brushwork with varying wash depths, though the painting style lacks the 'heaping and piling' effects typical of early Ming or Kangxi examples.

Compare with other ceramic pieces in the archive: Alabaster Urn-Shaped Vase, Han Dynasty Style Glazed Ceramic Boar Figurine, Chinese Blue and White 'Three Friends of Winter' Stem Cup, Ming Style.

PRODUCTION & FIRING

This plate utilizes motifs popularized during the Kangxi period (1662-1722) of the Qing Dynasty, specifically the 'Peony and Chrysanthemum' theme which symbolized wealth and longevity. However, the use of crisp, modern cobalt pigments and the precise, mechanical nature of the rim diaper pattern ...
This plate utilizes motifs popularized during the Kangxi period (1662-1722) of the Qing Dynasty, specifically the 'Peony and Chrysanthemum' theme which symbolized wealth and longevity. However, the use of crisp, modern cobalt pigments and the precise, mechanical nature of the rim diaper pattern suggest a 20th-century production, likely for the export market or domestic decorative use between 1920 and 1970.

SCARCITY

Ordinary40-55%
CommonLegendary

Standard antiques commonly found at estate sales and flea markets. Plentiful supply meets modest demand.

Rarity 3/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 173 ceramics items at rarity 3 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

  • Moderate production runs
  • Common at estate sales
  • Entry-level collectibles

Confidence Factors

  • Painting style is consistent with 20th-century revival wares rather than 18th-century originals
  • Cobalt blue saturation appears modern and chemically consistent
  • Absence of 'muslin' texture in the glaze typically found on older export wares
How does authenticity detection work?

CERAMICIST'S ASSESSMENT

Asian Art Specialist

East Asian Art Expert

The stylistic markers clearly indicate a 20th-century piece. A higher confidence would require a view of the base (footrim) to confirm kiln characteristics and potential marks.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Floral cartouche arrangement mirrors Kangxi-era (1662-1722) export styles.
  • 2Underglaze blue painting shows hard edges and lack of mineral 'bloom' associated with antique cobalt.
  • 3Rim diaper pattern is executed with modern precision, lacking the hand-drawn irregularities of pre-1850 pieces.
  • 4The porcelain body appears exceptionally white and bright under the glaze, indicative of modern refined clay.

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •Lack of 'fritting' (tiny edge chips) commonly found on authentic 18th-century export porcelain.
  • •Uniformity of the blue pigment suggests industrial-grade cobalt oxide.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Photograph the base and footrim to analyze 'iron-red' oxidation and kiln grit.
  • →Check for a reign mark or 'Made in China' stamp on the underside.
  • →Examine the rim under 10x magnification for glaze bubbles (longyan) or surface wear patterns.

CONDITION & GRADE

Condition

The rim shows no visible fritting or chips in the primary view. The glaze appears bright with minimal surface scratching, suggesting light use or decorative display only.

CERAMICS MARKET VALUE

$40 - $120

Updated: May 10, 2026

Who buys this

General antique enthusiasts and interior decorators looking for 'Chinoiserie' style accents rather than fine art investors.

What increases value

  • •Good condition with no visible cracks or rim chips
  • •Traditional aesthetic suitable for blue-and-white wall displays

What lowers value

  • •Saturation of similar 20th-century reproduction pieces in the secondary market
  • •Lack of early Qing dynasty age provenance

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Hand-painted irregularities that suggest early Republic period (1912-1949) artisan work
  • •Presence of an authentic era-appropriate mark on the base

Grade & condition

Presence of hairline cracks, rim chips (fritting), and the quality/crispness of the hand-painted decoration.

Rarity & demand

OrdinaryModerate demandSells quickly
Browse similar ceramics objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

FROM THE CABINET OF

R2

r2d2
Wonderseeker•4 items

COMMENTS

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Sign in to leave a comment

ABOUT CERAMICS & POTTERY

Pottery, porcelain, stoneware, earthenware, and kiln-fired objects.

Ceramics & Pottery value and rarity guide

SHARE THIS CURIOSITY

Have your own curiosities to discover?

Scan Your Curiosity