Copper-red Underglaze Dragon Meiping Vase

Name: Copper-red Underglaze Dragon Meiping Vase
Brand: wewe
Availability: LimitedAvailability

A white ceramic vase with a tapered base and wide shoulders, decorated with a large reddish-brown underglaze dragon and cloud motifs. - view 1

1/2

Estimated value

$80 - $250

Rarity

Ordinary(3/10)

COPPER-RED UNDERGLAZE DRAGON MEIPING VASE: IDENTIFICATION

A high-shouldered meiping-style ceramic vase featuring a four-clawed dragon amidst clouds, executed in an underglaze copper-red pigment on a crackled cream-colored ground. The decoration is applied in a somewhat folk-art style rather than imperial precision, with visible iron spots in the pigment and a prominent vertical seam from a two-part mold or joint. The neck is short with a slightly thickened rim, while the base shows an unglazed, recessed footrim with significant kiln grit and staining.

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.

SCARCITY

Ordinary40-55%

CommonLegendary

Standard antiques commonly found at estate sales and flea markets. Plentiful supply meets modest demand.

Rarity 3/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 173 ceramics items at rarity 3 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

Moderate production runs
Common at estate sales
Entry-level collectibles

Confidence Factors

Extremely uniform crazing pattern often associated with chemically-induced aging
Crude application of kiln grit on the base to simulate archaic production methods
Pigment tone and bleeding inconsistent with early Ming underglaze copper-red

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

How does authenticity detection work?

CERAMICIST'S ASSESSMENT

Ceramics Historian & Kiln Specialist

Ceramics Expert

Identification is high based on the visible combination of modern manufacturing markers (uniform crazing, specific red tone) and the presence of a mid-century style retail sticker.

KEY EVIDENCE

1Underglaze copper-red pigment shows modern brownish-red characteristics
2The footrim exhibits deliberate staining meant to mimic centuries of burial/use
3The vase form is consistent with 20th-century decorative interpretations of historical Ming shapes
4Uniform 'ice-crackle' crazing is a hallmark of modern decorative exports

UNCERTAINTIES

•Artificial staining inside the crackle lines
•Modern retail sticker residue/label on the base

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

→Examine the interior for mold lines or throwing rings to confirm construction method
→Test the staining in the crackles with a damp swab; if it comes off easily, it is a modern additive
→Check for translucency using a bright torch against the wall to distinguish between stoneware and porcelain paste

CONDITION & GRADE

Condition

Significant kiln grit adhering to the unglazed foot; heavy artificial patination (dirt/staining) applied into the crazing lines; one visible firing crack or deep craze line near the base.

Weight & feel

Estimated at 800-1,200 grams; the vessel appears thick-walled with a heavy, sand-encrusted foot typical of stoneware-bodied reproductions.

CERAMICS MARKET VALUE

$80 - $250

Updated: May 11, 2026

Who buys this

General interior decorators and casual collectors of Asian-style decorative arts.

What increases value

•Decorative appeal of the dragon motif
•Size and visual presence as an accent piece
•Intact condition without major chips or repairs

What lowers value

•Commonality as a mass-produced reproduction
•Poorly executed 'liverish' red color compared to vibrant imperial examples

What makes top-tier examples

•Genuine Yuan or Ming examples show more varied, 'mucky' reds and distinct hand-thrown characteristics on the interior
•Authentic early pieces lack the chemically-induced uniform crazing seen here