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Chinese Blue and White Porcelain 'Dragon and Phoenix' Charger

A Chinese blue and white porcelain charger featuring two dragons and a central peony flower, with three bats painted on the underside. - view 1
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Estimated value

$150 - $450

Rarity

Average(4/10)

Category

Ceramics & Pottery

Era

Late 19th to Early 20th Century

Origin

China

Authenticity

Moderate(65%)
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CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE PORCELAIN 'DRAGON AND PHOENIX' CHARGER: IDENTIFICATION

A substantial porcelain charger featuring a central medallion of two addorsed four-clawed dragons flanking a flowering peony. The composition utilizes cobalt blue underglaze on a slightly greyish-white ground. The cavetto and rim are decorated with a dense scroll border, while the reverse displays three stylized bats (wufu), symbols of happiness. The footrim is unglazed, showing a fine-grained white paste with minor iron spotting characteristic of provincial kiln firing.

PRODUCTION & FIRING

This style of blue and white export ware rose to prominence during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, particularly during the Kangxi reign (1662–1722). Production was centered in Jingdezhen, though the slightly informal execution of the dragon scales and the 'heaping and piling' effect of the ...
This style of blue and white export ware rose to prominence during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, particularly during the Kangxi reign (1662–1722). Production was centered in Jingdezhen, though the slightly informal execution of the dragon scales and the 'heaping and piling' effect of the cobalt suggest a provincial origin or a 19th-century revival meant for the Southeast Asian market. The four-clawed dragon was historically designated for use by aristocrats and high-ranking officials, sitting just below the five-clawed imperial dragon in the social hierarchy defined by the Qing court's sumptuary laws.

SCARCITY

Average55-70%
CommonLegendary

Typical antique shop fare. Requires some searching but regularly available. This is where most genuine antiques fall.

Typical Characteristics

  • Standard antique shop items
  • Regularly available
  • Moderate collector interest

Confidence Factors

  • The lack of a reign mark makes specific dating a matter of stylistic interpretation
  • Many 20th-century reproductions replicate 18th-century provincial styles closely
  • Surface wear is consistent with age but easily faked by modern chemical aging
How does authenticity detection work?

CERAMICIST'S ASSESSMENT

Ceramics Historian & Kiln Specialist

Ceramics Expert

The identification is based on clearly visible diagnostic features like the footrim and bat motifs, though high-quality 20th-century copies of this specific style are common.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Unglazed footrim shows a vitrified white paste with orange iron-spotting typical of oxidation.
  • 2Stylized 'wufu' bats on the reverse are a standard decorative shorthand for export chargers.
  • 3The underglaze blue exhibits 'bleeding' into the glaze, a trait often seen in 19th-century provincial output.
  • 4Dragon anatomy features the 'snout' and 'mane' style common to the Guangxu period (1875-1908).

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •The central peony is somewhat crudely drawn compared to higher-end Kangxi examples.
  • •Absence of 'chatter marks' on the footrim which are sometimes present in earlier 18th-century pieces.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Perform a 'long-wave UV light' test to check for invisible professional repairs to the rim.
  • →Examine the depth of the glaze 'crazing' under 10x magnification to distinguish natural aging from forced aging.
  • →Gently tap the rim with a wooden stick; a dull 'thud' rather than a clear ring would indicate more internal cracks.

CONDITION & GRADE

Good

Grading breakdown

Lowered from 'Fine' due to the structural hairline crack and rim chip; otherwise, the glaze luster remains vibrant and the underglaze pigment is well-preserved.

Condition

A visible rim chip and an associated hairline crack are present at the 9 o'clock position on the reverse. Minor surface scratches indicate historical stacking and use.

Weight & feel

The piece appears substantial and thick-walled, likely weighing between 1.5 kg and 2 kg, suggesting it was potted for durability rather than the delicate translucency of imperial ware.

CERAMICS MARKET VALUE

$150 - $450

Updated: May 10, 2026

Who buys this

Collectors of Chinese export porcelain and interior designers seeking authentic Asian focal pieces.

What increases value

  • •Substantial size (charger scale usually commands a premium over standard plates)
  • •Dragon motifs are among the most sought-after subjects in the Asian art market

What lowers value

  • •The hairline crack significantly impacts value for purist collectors
  • •Lack of an Imperial or documented workshop mark

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Evidence of 18th-century potting techniques like 'V-shaped' footrims
  • •Deep, sapphire-blue cobalt without muddy grey undertones

Grade & condition

Condition is determined by the presence of 'fritting' on the rim, chips, and the length of internal hairline cracks.

Rarity & demand

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

FROM THE CABINET OF

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bruinsma

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