Chinese Blue and White 'Dragon' Dish

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Estimated value

$4,000 - $8,000

Rarity

Scarce(6/10)

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: Chinese Blue and White Porcelain 'Dragon and Phoenix' Charger, Chinese Blue and White with Underglaze Red 'Dragon' Bottle Vase, Qianlong Mark, Chinese Blue and White 'Dragon' Meiping Vase, Qianlong Mark.

CROSS-CULTURAL PARALLELS

Related cultural context

Ming Dynasty China1368–1644

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

Use & cultural context

•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

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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

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

Scarce · 6/10 estimated rarity

This is a qualitative collection score, not a measured survival count, market percentile or proof of authenticity.

Visual assessment

Photographs alone cannot establish authenticity. The following analysis notes have not been independently verified; references to a match or confirmation are interpretations, not documentary evidence.

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

What photo analysis can and cannot establish

ANALYSIS NOTES

AI-assisted notes based on the photographs and supplied context. These are interpretations, not an examination by a human specialist or proof of authenticity.

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.

OBSERVATIONS & INTERPRETATIONS

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.

COLLECTOR GLOSSARY (3 terms)

Underglaze Blue: Cobalt pigment applied to the unfired clay body and then covered with clear glaze before a single high-temperature firing.
Footrim: The unglazed circular ring at the base of the vessel where it sat on the kiln floor.
Heaping and Piling: Visual effect where cobalt concentrates in dark spots, mimicking the unevenness of early imported Persian cobalt.

Condition & estimated grade

A visual condition estimate. This is not a professional grading certificate.

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

Estimate recorded: May 10, 2026

Estimate context (not a documented sale): Sotheby's and Bonhams regularly sell Daoguang dragon dishes, with 2023-2024 prices typically ranging from $4,500 to $12,000 depending on size and condition.

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.

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