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Copper-red Underglaze Dragon Meiping Vase

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Estimated value

$80 - $250

Rarity

Ordinary(3/10)

Category

Ceramics & Pottery

Era

Mid-20th Century

Origin

China

Visual assessment

Photo-based interpretation · not authenticated

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

SCARCITY

Ordinary · 3/10 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.

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

OBSERVATIONS & INTERPRETATIONS

  • 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
COLLECTOR GLOSSARY (3 terms)
Meiping
A vase shape characterized by a narrow base, wide shoulders, and a small neck.
Copper-red
A difficult underglaze decoration using copper oxide that requires a reduction firing.
Crazing
A network of fine cracks in the glaze caused by differential cooling of body and glaze.

Condition & estimated grade

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

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

Estimate recorded: May 11, 2026

Estimate context (not a documented sale): Similar 20th-century 'dragon meiping' vases typically sell on eBay or at regional estate auctions for between $75 and $200 (Sotheby's and Christie's handle the multi-thousand dollar Ming originals).

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

Grade & condition

Glaze integrity, clarity of the dragon's features, and the absence of modern impact chips.

Rarity & demand

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

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