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Chinese Blue and White 'Dragon' Meiping Vase, Qianlong Mark

Chinese blue and white porcelain meiping vase with nine dragons and wave pattern, featuring a Qianlong seal mark on the base. - view 1
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Estimated value

$1,200 - $4,500

Rarity

Scarce(6/10)

Era

Late 19th Century to Mid-20th Century

Origin

🇨🇳 China

Authenticity

Uncertain(35%)
7

CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE 'DRAGON' MEIPING VASE, QIANLONG MARK: IDENTIFICATION

A high-shouldered baluster form vase known as a 'meiping', decorated in underglaze blue with a series of five-clawed imperial dragons amidst a background of incised or faintly painted 'ocean' waves. The mouth is narrow with a short neck, leading to an expansive shoulder and tapering base. The base features a six-character seal mark (zhuanshu) of the Qianlong Emperor in underglaze blue. A secondary 'A.59' inventory number is visible on the footrim, suggesting a previous collection or gallery provenance.

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

The 'Nine Dragon' motif reached its height of popularity during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), particularly during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor (1735-1796), who was known for his vast patronage of the Jingdezhen imperial kilns. This specific dragon-and-wave pattern is an archaistic reference ...
The 'Nine Dragon' motif reached its height of popularity during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), particularly during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor (1735-1796), who was known for his vast patronage of the Jingdezhen imperial kilns. This specific dragon-and-wave pattern is an archaistic reference to earlier Ming Dynasty Yongle and Xuande prototypes. The five-clawed dragon was strictly reserved for imperial use, symbolizing the Emperor's power over the elements.

COLLECTOR NOTES

1

A comparable Qianlong mark and period blue and white dragon meiping sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong in October 2012 for over $3.4 million USD.

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

  • The 'A.59' mark may be a deceptive attempt to mimic museum inventory numbers
  • High prevalence of high-quality 20th-century reproductions of Qianlong imperial wares
  • The cobalt blue saturation lacks the depth of genuine mid-18th century examples

Expert review recommended. Consider consulting a specialist before making purchasing decisions.

How does authenticity detection work?

CERAMICIST'S ASSESSMENT

Asian Art Specialist

East Asian Art Expert

The form and motif are classic, but the high risk of apocryphal Qianlong marks in the market necessitates a cautious confidence score without physical handling.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Meiping form is consistent with late 19th-century revivals.
  • 2Six-character seal mark is executed in 'zhuanshu' script, though the calligraphy is somewhat stiff.
  • 3Presence of an 'A.59' collector's mark, commonly seen in old European collections but frequently forged.
  • 4Five-clawed dragon iconography indicates an imperial style.

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •The uniform whiteness of the footrim suggests a lack of natural oxidation expected in 250-year-old porcelain.
  • •The cobalt blue 'dots' intended to simulate 15th-century iron spots appear too intentional.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →High-resolution macro photo of the footrim to check for natural wear and paste texture.
  • →Examination under UV light to detect potential invisible professional repairs.
  • →Consultation with a specialist for a physical inspection of glaze 'orange peel' texture.

CONDITION & GRADE

Excellent

Grading breakdown

No visible chips, cracks, or hairlines; glaze integrity is maintained across the shoulder and foot.

Condition

The glaze appears bright with minimal surface scratching; however, the crispness of the seal mark suggests a later Qing or early Republic period production rather than 18th-century imperial manufacture.

Weight & feel

Estimated at 2.5 to 3.5 kg; the base appears thick with a slightly gritty, unglazed footrim consistent with Jingdezhen production.

CERAMICS MARKET VALUE

$1,200 - $4,500

Updated: May 10, 2026

Who buys this

Advanced collectors of Chinese ceramics and investors focusing on Qing Dynasty revivalist pieces.

What increases value

  • •Clarity of the five-clawed dragon rendering
  • •Provenance indicated by the 'A.59' inventory number if verifiable
  • •Large scale if exceeding 30cm in height

What lowers value

  • •Attribution as a 20th-century 'copy' rather than period imperial ware
  • •Undiscovered hairline cracks in the shoulder area

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Translucent 'mutton fat' quality to the white porcelain body
  • •Fluid, spontaneous calligraphic stroke in the base mark

Grade & condition

Glaze smoothness, absence of kiln grit, and precision of the underglaze drawing.

Rarity & demand

ScarceHigh demandModerate liquidity
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For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

FROM THE CABINET OF

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good0225
Wonderseeker•1 item

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