Skip to main content
Curiosa
Sign InTry a scan

Blue and White Moon Flask (Bianhu) with Qianlong Mark

Blue and white porcelain moon flask with floral scroll decoration and a Qianlong seal mark on the base. - view 1
1/2

Estimated value

$150 - $450

Rarity

Average(4/10)

Era

Late 20th to early 21st century

Origin

🇨🇳 China

Authenticity

Low(15%)
10

BLUE AND WHITE MOON FLASK (BIANHU) WITH QIANLONG MARK: IDENTIFICATION

A flattened globular porcelain flask, known as a 'Bianhu' or moon flask, decorated in underglaze blue. The body features composite floral scrolls with stylized lotus blooms, while the neck is flanked by two arched scroll-shaped handles. The base bears a six-character apocryphal Qianlong seal mark in underglaze blue within a recessed oval. A QR code sticker is visible on the shoulder, likely a modern inventory or auction tag.

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.

PRODUCTION & FIRING

The moon flask shape originated in ancient West Asian metalwork and was adapted by Chinese potters as early as the Tang Dynasty, reaching its peak popularity in the 18th century Qing Dynasty. This specific decorative program references the 'heaping and piling' effect of early 15th-century Ming ...
The moon flask shape originated in ancient West Asian metalwork and was adapted by Chinese potters as early as the Tang Dynasty, reaching its peak popularity in the 18th century Qing Dynasty. This specific decorative program references the 'heaping and piling' effect of early 15th-century Ming porcelain, a look highly prized by the Emperor Qianlong (r. 1736-1795). While the mark indicates a late 18th-century origin, the cleanliness of the paste and the uniformity of the cobalt suggest a late 20th or early 21st-century production.

SCARCITY

Average55-70%
CommonLegendary

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

Rarity 4/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 101 ceramics items at rarity 4 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

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

Confidence Factors

  • Uniform blue pigment lacks the 'heaping and piling' depth found in period 18th-century examples.
  • The QR code sticker is characteristic of modern mass-production inventory management.
  • Base mark characters are overly rigid and lack the fluid calligraphy of authentic Imperial seal marks.
  • The unglazed footrim shows a stark transition from the white paste that is common in 20th-century copies.

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

The visual characteristics strongly align with a high-quality modern 'aesthetic' reproduction rather than a period imperial piece. The mark style and modern inventory sticker are definitive indicators of recent manufacture.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1The presence of a QR code sticker directly on the glaze is a modern identifier.
  • 2Underglaze blue lacks the natural diffusion into the glaze ('haloing') seen in antique porcelain.
  • 3Footrim lacks the natural 'beauty spots' (iron impurities) typically emergent in Qianlong-period porcelain.
  • 4Symmetry of the handles suggests machine-aided or mold-assisted formation.

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •The 'Qianlong Nian Zhi' mark is a frequent apocryphal addition on modern reproductions.
  • •Overall cleanliness of the interior seen through the mouth suggests no historical usage.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Scan the QR code to determine its origin or auction history.
  • →Perform a 'tap test' with a wooden dowel to check for high-pitched resonance indicating a sound body.
  • →Inspect the cobalt under 20x magnification for modern pixelation or evenness.

CONDITION & GRADE

Excellent

Grading breakdown

No structural damage visible; surface shows very high luster indicating a lacks of historical abrasive cleaning or environmental etching.

Condition

The glaze appears pristine with no visible chips or hairlines; however, the unglazed footrim shows unnatural staining indicative of artificial aging rather than century-old contact wear.

Weight & feel

Likely substantial, approximately 3kg to 5kg given the thick porcelain walls indicated by the footrim width.

CERAMICS MARKET VALUE

$150 - $450

Updated: May 11, 2026

Who buys this

Interior designers and casual collectors looking for a classic Chinese aesthetic without the six-figure price tag of an original.

What increases value

  • •Size and visual presence
  • •Quality of the hand-painted floral motifs
  • •Symmetry and lack of firing flaws

What lowers value

  • •Discovery of modern production techniques
  • •Saturation of the market with similar decorative reproductions

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Authentic iron spots (heaping and piling)
  • •Naturally aged 'leather' feel to the unglazed footrim
  • •Orange-peel texture in the glaze

Grade & condition

Glaze integrity, clarity of the blue pigment, and absence of modern mold lines.

Rarity & demand

AverageModerate demandSells quickly
Browse similar ceramics objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

FROM THE CABINET OF

AS

asdss
Wonderseeker•1 item

COMMENTS

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Sign in to leave a comment

ABOUT CERAMICS & POTTERY

Pottery, porcelain, stoneware, earthenware, and kiln-fired objects.

Ceramics & Pottery value and rarity guide

SHARE THIS CURIOSITY

Have your own curiosities to discover?

Scan Your Curiosity