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Pair of Chinese export-style porcelain goose figurines

Pair of white porcelain goose figurines with brown beaks and feet, sitting in a nesting position on a white background. - view 1
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Estimated value

$120 - $350

Rarity

Ordinary(3/10)

Era

Early to mid-20th century

Origin

🇨🇳 China

Authenticity

Moderate(55%)
13

PAIR OF CHINESE EXPORT-STYLE PORCELAIN GOOSE FIGURINES: IDENTIFICATION

A pair of molded porcelain goose figurines, depicted in a recumbent nesting pose with heads turned and bills slightly agape. The pieces feature a lead-glaze over a white porcelain body, with hand-painted iron-red or brown pigment detailing on the bills and webbed feet. The wings are rendered with molded imbricated feather patterns. The undersides are flat and unglazed (bisque), showing a gray-white paste with grit and firing discolorations typical of provincial production.

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

These figurines follow the 18th-century tradition of Chinese Export porcelain animalier figures made for the European market, notably during the Qianlong period (1736–1795). While original 18th-century examples were prized for their naturalism, these specific examples show manufacturing ...
These figurines follow the 18th-century tradition of Chinese Export porcelain animalier figures made for the European market, notably during the Qianlong period (1736–1795). While original 18th-century examples were prized for their naturalism, these specific examples show manufacturing characteristics—including the texture of the unglazed base and the specific iron-brown wash—common to late 19th and early 20th-century reproductions from the Guangdong region (Canton and Macau).

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 170 ceramics items at rarity 3 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

  • Moderate production runs
  • Common at estate sales
  • Entry-level collectibles

Confidence Factors

  • Lack of maker's marks or export seals
  • Base texture shows more recent wear patterns than 18th-century period pieces
  • Simplification of feather molding compared to high-tier export originals
How does authenticity detection work?

CERAMICIST'S ASSESSMENT

Ceramics Historian & Kiln Specialist

Ceramics Expert

The item is clearly identifiable as Chinese export style, and the base photographs provide strong evidence for a late 19th to mid-20th-century dating rather than an 18th-century origin.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1The unglazed bisque base reveals a dense, slightly grayish porcelain paste consistent with South Chinese kilns.
  • 2Molded imbricated feathers show wear consistent with late-stage molds rather than crisp 18th-century prototypes.
  • 3The 'duck-egg' tint of the white glaze is a frequent indicator of late Qing to early Republic era production.
  • 4Absence of 'orange peel' glaze texture suggests a more modern firing environment.

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •Uniformity of the brown wash without the fine tonal graduation seen in 18th-century examples.
  • •Pitting on the base suggests a lower-temperature firing than period Export-ware.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Perform a tap test to check for hidden structural cracks (a clear ring indicates integrity).
  • →Examine under 365nm UV light to detect possible restoration to the beaks or tails.
  • →Measure height to compare with standard Canton export export sizes.

CONDITION & GRADE

Condition

Significant surface grime and shelf wear on the unglazed bases. Minor glaze pitting and pinholes from the firing process are visible on the neck and body surfaces.

CERAMICS MARKET VALUE

$120 - $350

Updated: May 11, 2026

Who buys this

Traditional interior decorators and collectors of Chinoiserie and Chinese Export porcelain animal figures.

What increases value

  • •Presence as a pair (pairs always command a premium over single birds)
  • •Condition of the beaks and tail feathers (areas prone to chipping)

What lowers value

  • •Commonality of reproduction (modern versions are frequently sold in museum gift shops)
  • •Visible firing flaws or surface staining

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Crispness of the molding in the feather detailing
  • •Translucency of the porcelain when held to a strong light source

Grade & condition

Condition of the bills, absence of repairs, and the clarity of the molded feather patterns.

Rarity & demand

OrdinaryModerate demandModerate liquidity
Browse similar ceramics objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

FROM THE CABINET OF

BR

bruinsma
The Connoisseur•57 items

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