Skip to main content
Curiosa
Sign InTry a scan

Blue and White Porcelain Kendi

Late Ming dynasty blue and white porcelain kendi with damaged spout and floral decoration. - view 1
1/3

Estimated value

$450 - $1,200

Rarity

Uncommon(5/10)

Era

Late Ming Dynasty, circa 1580–1640

Origin

🇨🇳 China

Authenticity

Moderate(65%)
8

BLUE AND WHITE PORCELAIN KENDI: IDENTIFICATION

A globose-bodied kendi vessel featuring a stepped collar and a mammary-shaped spout with a prominent vertical seam. The decoration is executed in underglaze cobalt blue, depicting traditional 'Three Friends of Winter' (pine, bamboo, and plum) motifs on the body and geometric diaper patterns on the neck. The footring is unglazed with visible concentric chatter marks and radiating grit inclusions common in provincial kilns.

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 kendi is a Southeast Asian water vessel form adopted by Chinese and Vietnamese kilns for the export trade during the 14th to 17th centuries. This specific example reflects the Wanli (1573–1620) to Transitional period stylistic transition, evidenced by the segmented paneling on the base and the ...
The kendi is a Southeast Asian water vessel form adopted by Chinese and Vietnamese kilns for the export trade during the 14th to 17th centuries. This specific example reflects the Wanli (1573–1620) to Transitional period stylistic transition, evidenced by the segmented paneling on the base and the loosely rendered floral sprays often found in Zhangzhou (Swatow) or similar South Chinese export wares.

SCARCITY

Uncommon70-80%
CommonLegendary

Genuine antiques with fewer examples on the market. Named makers, documented provenance, or early production examples.

Rarity 5/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 21 ceramics items at rarity 5 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

  • Limited production
  • Named makers
  • Growing collector demand

Confidence Factors

  • Chatter marks on the base are consistent with period production
  • Cobalt bleed and glaze shrinkage holes align with Zhangzhou (Swatow) style
  • The spout fracture reveals a genuine aged paste body rather than modern composite
How does authenticity detection work?

CERAMICIST'S ASSESSMENT

Ceramics Historian & Kiln Specialist

Ceramics Expert

The form and base characteristics strongly align with Ming export wares, though the spout's damage and the specific shade of cobalt require closer tactile inspection to rule out high-quality 20th-century reproductions.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1V-shaped vertical seam on the spout indicating two-part mold construction.
  • 2Concentric potting rings and radiating grit on the unglazed base.
  • 3Presence of 'bird-track' crazing and iron oxidation spots in the glaze.
  • 4Wanli-style diaper patterns on the neck and classic export floral motifs.

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •The cobalt blue is somewhat vivid for early 17th-century provincial ware, requiring a check for modern chemical pigments.
  • •The symmetry of the globose body is unusually high for handheld provincial wares.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Close-up of the spout fracture to examine the porosity of the paste.
  • →Ultraviolet (UV) light check to ensure no seamless resin repairs exist on the body handles.
  • →Rubbing of the base to verify if 'wear' is natural or chemically induced.

CONDITION & GRADE

Fair

Grading breakdown

The grade is severely impacted by the structural damage to the spout, which is a critical diagnostic feature for the kendi form.

Condition

Significant fractures and loss of material at the tip of the spout. The glaze exhibits fine crazing and earth encrustation on the unglazed footring, suggesting long-term burial or storage in a humid environment.

CERAMICS MARKET VALUE

$450 - $1,200

Updated: May 11, 2026

Who buys this

Specialist collectors of Chinese export porcelain and Southeast Asian shipwreck ceramics.

What increases value

  • •Rarity of the specific 'Three Friends of Winter' motif on this form
  • •Evidence of early provincial kiln markers (grit, chatter marks)

What lowers value

  • •The broken spout significantly reduces value by 50-70% compared to a pristine example
  • •Absence of a confirmed shipwreck provenance

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Vibrant but controlled cobalt use
  • •Intact delicate spouts and handles
  • •Documented kiln site provenance

Grade & condition

Completeness of spout, clarity of underglaze painting, and lack of hairline cracks in the body.

Rarity & demand

UncommonModerate demandModerate liquidity
Browse similar ceramics objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

FROM THE CABINET OF

55

555gg
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