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Blue and White Phoenix Ewer

A Chinese blue and white porcelain ewer with phoenix and lotus motifs on a wooden stand. - view 1
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Estimated value

$250 - $650

Rarity

Average(4/10)

Era

Late 19th to early 20th Century

Origin

🇨🇳 China

Authenticity

Uncertain(35%)
11

BLUE AND WHITE PHOENIX EWER: IDENTIFICATION

A pear-shaped ewer (yuhuchun) featuring underglaze blue decoration of a phoenix (fenghuang) among scrolling lotus vines. The vessel is constructed with a curved spout and a loop handle with a small attachment ring for a lid tether. The body is a dense white porcelain, often referred to as 'kaolin-rich' paste, consistent with Jingdezhen style production. The phoenix motif is rendered with segmented wing feathers and a long, flowing tail, typical of Ming and Qing dynasty revival pieces.

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.

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

  • Absence of a reign mark on the base or body suggests a non-imperial production.
  • The 'heaping and piling' of the cobalt blue appears somewhat mechanically applied to mimic early Ming styles.
  • The footrim exhibits artificial-looking darkening rather than natural 100+ year oxidation.

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

Identification of the form and motif is certain, but dating is cautious due to the high volume of late 19th-century and 20th-century reproductions of this specific style.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Pear-shaped 'yuhuchun' form consistent with Ming/Qing transition styles.
  • 2Unglazed footrim shows coarse paste with moderate iron spotting.
  • 3Cobalt blue displays characteristic 'mottling' intended to mimic earlier Sumali blue.
  • 4The presence of a lid tether ring on the handle is a traditional construction detail.

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •Lack of a reign mark makes definitive dating to an imperial period impossible.
  • •Cleanliness of the interior (visible in some angles) may suggest later production.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Perform a 'tap test' with a wooden dowel to check for dull sounds indicating hidden cracks.
  • →Examine the interior for 'chatter marks' or spiral ridges from the potter's wheel.
  • →Conduct a UV light inspection to detect modern epoxy repairs on the spout tip.

CONDITION & GRADE

Good

Grading breakdown

The vessel maintains its integrity with no visible cracks or repairs on the spout; however, significant wear on the footrim and surface pinholes lower the grade from 'Fine'.

Condition

Small chips are visible on the unglazed footrim. Notable rust spots (iron oxidation) appear in the blue pigment, which is a common characteristic of older kiln firings but also frequently simulated in later reproductions.

Weight & feel

Estimated weight is approximately 800-1100g, suggesting a solid, mid-weight porcelain body consistent with late Qing export or domestic wares.

CERAMICS MARKET VALUE

$250 - $650

Updated: May 11, 2026

Who buys this

Collectors of Qing Dynasty provincial wares and interior designers seeking classical Asian focal pieces.

What increases value

  • •Intact spout and handle, which are the most fragile and frequently repaired parts.
  • •Clear, vibrant cobalt blue contrast against the white ground.

What lowers value

  • •Hidden cracks (stars) on the base.
  • •Attribution as a mid-20th-century reproduction rather than late 19th century.

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Authentic Ming-era Sumali blue with natural iron-ageing.
  • •Documented Imperial reign marks from the Xuande or Chenghua periods.

Grade & condition

Chipping on footrim, glaze pinholes, and pigment consistency.

Rarity & demand

AverageModerate demandModerate liquidity
Browse similar ceramics objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

FROM THE CABINET OF

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