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Blue and White Dragon Meiping Vase

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Estimated value

$250 - $800

Rarity

Average(4/10)

Category

Ceramics & Pottery

Era

Mid to late 20th century

Origin

China

Visual assessment

Photo-based interpretation · not authenticated

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BLUE AND WHITE DRAGON MEIPING VASE: IDENTIFICATION

A high-shouldered ceramic vessel known as a meiping, featuring underglaze cobalt blue decoration of a three-clawed dragon amidst clouds and stylized waves. Significant cobalt 'heaping and piling' is visible where the pigment has concentrated and oxidized during firing. The form exhibits a short neck with a slightly flared lip and a body that tapers significantly toward the base.

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

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 heaping and piling effect appears overly uniform, a common trait in modern 'chemical cobalt' reproductions
  • The base paste lacks the 'oily' or smooth texture associated with genuine Yuan or early Ming Jingdezhen clay
  • The iron spots on the foot appear surface-applied rather than leaching out from the body during a high-heat reduction firing
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.

The identification of the form and decorative style is certain, but the high risk of it being a 20th-century 'boutique' reproduction leads to a moderate confidence in its antique status.

OBSERVATIONS & INTERPRETATIONS

  • 1Presence of 'heaping and piling' in the cobalt pigment, attempting to mimic 14th-century imports.
  • 2Dry, flat unglazed base without the 'shrimp red' oxidation typical of early Jingdezhen wares.
  • 3Meiping profile exhibits a somewhat stiff shoulder curve compared to the fluid lines of period originals.
  • 4Iron spots on the base are clustered in a way that suggests artificial application after firing.

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •The base shows significant 'grime' that does not match the relatively clean, high-gloss surface of the glazed body.
  • •Uniformity of the wave patterns at the base suggests a more modern, standardized workshop hand.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Close-up of the lip/rim under 10x magnification to check for micro-bubbles in the glaze.
  • →Short-wave UV light test to check if the 'dirt' on the base is organic or a synthetic pigment glaze.
  • →Tap test to observe the resonance of the body; high-fired porcelain should have a clear, metallic ring.
COLLECTOR GLOSSARY (3 terms)
Meiping
A traditional Chinese vase shape with a wide shoulder, narrow neck, and small opening.
Heaping and Piling
The dark, concentrated spots in blue and white porcelain caused by high iron content in the cobalt.
Paste
The clay mixture used to form the body of the ceramic vessel.

Condition & estimated grade

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

Excellent

Grading breakdown

The vessel is structurally sound with no visible hairline fractures or repairs. Grading is based on the integrity of the glaze and the lack of traditional kiln defects.

Condition

Surface shows artificial aging on the base through ground-in dirt. No visible cracks or chips on the body, though the glaze appears unusually bright for a several-hundred-year-old object.

Weight & feel

Estimated at 2.5–3.5 kg; the base thickness suggests a heavy, slip-cast or thick-walled hand-thrown construction characteristic of modern revivals.

CERAMICS MARKET VALUE

$250 - $800

Estimate recorded: May 10, 2026

Estimate context (not a documented sale): Modern 'Jingdezhen' high-quality reproductions of this scale typically sell between $300 and $1,200 at specialty decor auctions like Sotheby's Home or high-end estate sales.

Who buys this

Collectors of 'Zhonghua Minguo' (Republic era) or late 20th-century high-quality decorative arts, and interior designers looking for 'blue and white' aesthetics.

What increases value

  • •Quality of the hand-painting on the dragon's scales
  • •Clarity of the cobalt blue pigment
  • •Overall height and presence of the vessel

What lowers value

  • •Confirmation as a modern reproduction significantly lowers value to decorative rather than investment levels
  • •Any hidden cracks or repairs revealed by UV light

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Genuine 14th-century examples possess an 'orange peel' texture to the glaze
  • •Authentic period bases show natural kiln-fire oxidation (orange/red tint) at the glaze line

Grade & condition

Condition of the glaze, vibrancy of the blue, and lack of structural repairs.

Rarity & demand

AverageModerate demandModerate liquidity
Browse similar ceramics objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

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