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Chinese Iron-Red and Underglaze Blue 'Dragon' Dish, Qianlong Mark

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Estimated value

$400 - $1,200

Rarity

Average(4/10)

Category

Ceramics & Pottery

Era

Late 19th to Mid-20th Century

Origin

China

Visual assessment

Photo-based interpretation · not authenticated

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CHINESE IRON-RED AND UNDERGLAZE BLUE 'DRAGON' DISH, QIANLONG MARK: IDENTIFICATION

A porcelain dish featuring a central five-clawed dragon pursuing a flaming pearl, executed in iron-red enamel over underglaze blue clouds. The cavetto is decorated with two additional striding dragons among similar cloud motifs. The base bears a six-character seal script (zhuanshu) mark in underglaze blue, reading 'Da Qing Qianlong Nian Zhi'.

Compare with other ceramic pieces in the archive: Chinese Blue and White with Underglaze Red 'Dragon' Bottle Vase, Qianlong Mark, Chinese Blue and White 'Dragon' Meiping Vase, Qianlong Mark, Chinese Blue and White 'Dragon' Dish.

PRODUCTION & FIRING

The combination of underglaze blue clouds with overglaze iron-red dragons is a classic Qing dynasty palette that reached high technical refinement during the Qianlong reign (1736-1795). While the mark indicates the Qianlong period, this specific motif of the dragon amidst 'ruyi' clouds was produced

Read full story

at the Jingdezhen imperial kilns throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, and frequently reproduced in the 20th century for the export and collector markets.

SCARCITY

Average · 4/10 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.

  • The seal mark execution appears stiff and lacks the fluid precision characteristic of genuine 18th-century imperial marks
  • High prevalence of later 19th and 20th-century 'mark and period' apocryphal reproductions
  • The stark white appearance of the porcelain body lacks the 'mutton-fat' softness of authentic Qianlong imperial paste
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 of the type and mark is certain; however, the lack of tactile evidence and high-resolution footrim details makes a definitive distinction between a late 19th-century example and a high-quality 20th-century copy difficult.

OBSERVATIONS & INTERPRETATIONS

  • 1Six-character Qianlong seal mark in underglaze blue (zhuanshu style)
  • 2Classic palette of iron-red enamel over underglaze blue clouds
  • 3Five-clawed dragon iconography (imperial status motif)
  • 4Standard unglazed footrim characteristic of Jingdezhen production

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •Mark lacks the specific spacing and calligraphic nuance of authentic 18th-century imperial examples from Christie’s or Sotheby’s archives
  • •The blue cloud motifs appear somewhat formulaic compared to the nuanced wash found on early Qing pieces

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Magnified photo of the footrim to check for artificial aging (soot or staining)
  • →Close-up of the iron-red scales to check for enamel 'flaking' or kiln grit
  • →Weight measurement in grams to compare against known period standards
COLLECTOR GLOSSARY (3 terms)
Zhuanshu
Seal script characters used for official reign marks, characterized by their angular and symmetrical appearance.
Iron-Red
An overglaze enamel made from iron oxide, resulting in colors ranging from coral to deep cinnabar.
Cavetto
The sloping interior sides of a plate or bowl, between the flat center and the rim.

Condition & estimated grade

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

Condition

The footrim shows characteristic shelf wear and minor discoloration. No visible fractures or 'crazing' are apparent from the provided images, though the enamel on the dragon's scales shows slight thinning in high-contact areas.

CERAMICS MARKET VALUE

$400 - $1,200

Estimate recorded: May 11, 2026

Estimate context (not a documented sale): Similar dishes sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong often exceed $50,000 if authenticated as 18th-century imperial, whereas late 19th-century examples typically sell for $800-$1,500 at regional auctions.

Who buys this

Standard collectors of Chinese export porcelain and interior designers looking for classic Qing-style aesthetics.

What increases value

  • •Clarity of the seal mark
  • •Vibrancy of the iron-red enamel
  • •Condition of the rim (absence of chips or 'fleabites')

What lowers value

  • •Identification as a mid-20th-century or later reproduction (drastically reduces value)
  • •Later over-painting or restoration hidden by the glaze

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Genuine Qianlong 'mark and period' attribution confirmed by provenance
  • •Presence of a 'Hebei' or 'Palace Museum' wax seal

Grade & condition

Completeness of enamel, centering of the dragon motif, and smoothness of the glaze surface.

Rarity & demand

AverageHigh demandModerate liquidity
Browse similar ceramics objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

FROM THE CABINET OF

KJ

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