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Chinese Blue and White 'Dragon' Dish

A Chinese blue and white porcelain dish with a five-clawed dragon on the interior and a Daoguang seal mark on the base. - view 1
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Estimated value

$4,000 - $8,000

Rarity

Scarce(6/10)

Era

Qing Dynasty, Daoguang Period (1821–1850)

Origin

🇨🇳 China

Authenticity

Moderate(55%)
13

CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE 'DRAGON' DISH: IDENTIFICATION

A shallow porcelain dish featuring underglaze blue decoration of a five-clawed imperial dragon chasing a flaming pearl amidst stylized flames. The exterior is similarly decorated with two striding dragons. The base carries a six-character Daoguang seal mark in underglaze blue. The cobalt shows characteristic 'heaping and piling' effects intended to mimic early Ming Dynasty styles.

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.

CROSS-CULTURAL PARALLELS

Where This Object Echoes

Ming Dynasty China1368–1644

The striding dragon motif originated in the 14th century as a symbol of cosmic power and imperial authority.

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

  • •Imperial banquets and official court ceremonies where such dishes were used according to strict sumptuary laws.

Meaning Through Time

Qing Dynasty

A symbol of the Emperor's direct authority and the divine right to rule.

Modern Era

A high-status collectible representing the pinnacle of Chinese ceramic craftsmanship.

PRODUCTION & FIRING

This dish follows the tradition of Qing Dynasty imperial wares that sought to emulate the Chenghua and Xuande periods of the Ming Dynasty. The Daoguang period (1821-1850) is noted for maintaining high production standards at the Jingdezhen imperial kilns despite rising political instability. The ...
This dish follows the tradition of Qing Dynasty imperial wares that sought to emulate the Chenghua and Xuande periods of the Ming Dynasty. The Daoguang period (1821-1850) is noted for maintaining high production standards at the Jingdezhen imperial kilns despite rising political instability. The five-clawed dragon was a motif strictly reserved for the Emperor and his immediate family, signifying high imperial status during the 19th century.

COLLECTOR NOTES

1

A Bonhams auction label on the reverse suggests this piece passed through an international saleroom, a key indicator for provenance tracking in the Chinese art market.

SCARCITY

Scarce80-90%
CommonLegendary

Genuinely harder to find. Perhaps only dozens come to market annually. Collectors actively watch for these pieces.

Rarity 6/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 5 ceramics items at rarity 6 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

  • Dozens per year at market
  • Documented provenance valued
  • Active collector pursuit

Confidence Factors

  • High prevalence of 20th-century 'mark and period' reproductions
  • Bonhams auction labels are frequently faked or transferred from lesser pieces
  • Daoguang marks were commonly used on later 19th-century provincial wares
How does authenticity detection work?

CERAMICIST'S ASSESSMENT

Ceramics Historian & Kiln Specialist

Ceramics Expert

Identification is high due to the specific auction history and consistent period markings, but the high volume of Daoguang reproductions necessitates a 45% risk assessment until physical testing is performed.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Six-character Daoguang seal mark in underglaze blue is consistent with period imperial calligraphy styles.
  • 2Five-clawed dragon iconography indicates an imperial-grade rank.
  • 3Presence of a Bonhams auction label (Lot 33, Contract 25701465) provides a specific provenance trail for verification.
  • 4Paste color and footrim oxidation are consistent with mid-19th-century Jingdezhen production.

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •The clarity of the 'heaping and piling' may be too uniform, a common trait in modern high-end fakes.
  • •Label placement can sometimes obscure modern 'Made in China' acid-etched marks on counterfeits.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Perform a UV light scan to check for translucent repairs on the rim.
  • →Verify the auction lot number in the Bonhams archives for the described 'Four Blue and White Dragon' items.
  • →Check for 'shrimp-skin' texture in the glaze under 10x magnification.

CONDITION & GRADE

Grading breakdown

Visual evidence suggests a clean well and intact rim, though a tap test and UV inspection would be required to rule out professional spray-restoration on the rim.

Condition

The visible surfaces show no major chips or cracks; the unglazed footrim shows expected oxidation and orange-tinted firing marks where the body met the kiln floor.

CERAMICS MARKET VALUE

$4,000 - $8,000

Updated: May 10, 2026

Who buys this

Mainland Chinese collectors and international specialists focusing on Qing Dynasty imperial porcelain.

What increases value

  • •Correct Daoguang mark and period attribution
  • •Five-clawed dragon motif
  • •Documented auction provenance from a major house like Bonhams

What lowers value

  • •Hairline cracks often hidden under the glaze
  • •Existence of modern Republic-period copies that mimic this exact style
  • •Rim chips or 'fritting' significantly impact value

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Vibrant sapphire-blue cobalt with depth rather than flat grey-blue
  • •Thin, translucent body when held to light
  • •Crisp, confident brushwork in the dragon's scales

Grade & condition

Centering of the dragon, clarity of the seal mark, and absence of glaze pops or kiln grit.

Rarity & demand

ScarceHigh demandSells quickly
Browse similar ceramics objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

FROM THE CABINET OF

DS

dsd
Wonderseeker•1 item

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