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Blue and White Moon Flask (Bianhu) with Qianlong Mark

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Estimated value

$150 - $450

Rarity

Average(4/10)

Category

Ceramics & Pottery

Era

Late 20th to early 21st century

Origin

China

Visual assessment

Photo-based interpretation · not authenticated

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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: Chinese Blue and White with Underglaze Red 'Dragon' Bottle Vase, Qianlong Mark, Chinese Blue and White 'Dragon' Meiping Vase, Qianlong Mark, Blue and White Porcelain Small Bowl with Apocryphal Chenghua Mark.

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

Read full story

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

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.

  • 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.
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 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.

OBSERVATIONS & INTERPRETATIONS

  • 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.
COLLECTOR GLOSSARY (3 terms)
Bianhu
A flask shape with a flattened, circular body, historically derived from western Asian flasks.
Underglaze Blue
Cobalt oxide applied to the unfired clay body before being covered with transparent glaze and fired at high temperature.
Apocryphal Mark
An inscription on the base of a ceramic piece that claims an earlier date or reign than the actual date of manufacture.

Condition & estimated grade

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

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

Estimate recorded: May 11, 2026

Estimate context (not a documented sale): Similar contemporary reproductions typically realize $200-$400 at regional auctions like Dreweatts or on eBay sold listings.

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
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For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

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