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An Exquisite Chinese Blue & White 'Five-clawed Dragon' Meiping Vase Guangxu Period C 1895
Sandbanks Antiques
for sale €5,792     $6,287
£4,950
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques

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    Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné
Id #SA1190926
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An Exquisite Chinese Blue & White 'Five-clawed Dragon' Meiping Vase Guangxu Period C 1895

19th century
Description

Exquisite Chinese Blue & White 'Five-Clawed Dragon' Meiping Vase

An Exceptional Late Qing Dynasty Masterpiece (Guangxu Period, c. 1875-1908)

This stunning cobalt blue and white porcelain vase features a classic Meiping silhouette, elegantly tapering toward the base with a high, rounded shoulder and a short, waisted neck. The vessel is dominated by a bold, ferociously rendered Imperial Five-Clawed Dragon, a traditional symbol of power, strength, and good fortune.

Key Features:

Dynamic Artistry: The dragon is depicted with exceptional detail, featuring scrolling scales, flame-like appendages, and a powerful serpentine body that wraps around the vase.

Imperial Iconography: The presence of the five claws historically signifies a connection to the Imperial court.

Fine Glaze & Pigment: The rich, vibrant cobalt blue stands in beautiful contrast against the milky-white vitreous glaze.

Documented History: The base features a six-character apocryphal Kangxi mark, characteristic of the fine revivals seen during the Guangxu reign. Notably, the underside bears vintage hand-painted collection markings including "London" and an inventory number (EK 173), adding a layer of provenance and historical intrigue.

Specifications:

Height: 25.5 cm

Material: Fine Chinese Porcelain

Condition: Excellent antique condition, showcasing a smooth glaze and crisp underglaze blue decoration (see photos for detail).

Period: Late Qing Dynasty, Guangxu Period (1875–1908).

Collector's Note: This vase is a perfect example of the late 19th-century fascination with classical Ming and early Qing motifs. Its impressive size and the fierce movement of the dragon make it a standout decorative piece for any serious collector of Chinese ceramics.

Provenance: Private London, UK Collection since 1946

Physical Dimensions
Height
25.5cm (10.04")
Declaration

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Chinese Dragon Meiping Vase to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1190926
Description
Exquisite Chinese Blue & White 'Five-Clawed Dragon' Meiping Vase

An Exceptional Late Qing Dynasty Masterpiece (Guangxu Period, c. 1875-1908)

This stunning cobalt blue and white porcelain vase features a classic Meiping silhouette, elegantly tapering toward the base with a high, rounded shoulder and a short, waisted neck.
Sandbanks Antiques

The vessel is dominated by a bold, ferociously rendered Imperial Five-Clawed Dragon, a traditional symbol of power, strength, and good fortune.

fig 1. A Chinese porcelain meiping vase decorated with an underglaze cobalt blue five-clawed dragon on a white background.
fig 1. An Exquisite Chinese Blue & White 'Five-clawed Dragon' Meiping Vase Guangxu Period C 1895

Key Features:

Dynamic Artistry: The dragon is depicted with exceptional detail, featuring scrolling scales, flame-like appendages, and a powerful serpentine body that wraps around the vase.

Imperial Iconography: The presence of the five claws historically signifies a connection to the Imperial court.

fig 2. A Chinese porcelain meiping vase decorated with an underglaze cobalt blue five-clawed dragon on a white background.
fig 2. An Exquisite Chinese Blue & White 'Five-clawed Dragon' Meiping Vase Guangxu Period C 1895

Fine Glaze & Pigment: The rich, vibrant cobalt blue stands in beautiful contrast against the milky-white vitreous glaze.

Documented History: The base features a six-character apocryphal Kangxi mark, characteristic of the fine revivals seen during the Guangxu reign. Notably, the underside bears vintage hand-painted collection markings including "London" and an inventory number (EK 173), adding a layer of provenance and historical intrigue.

fig 3. A Chinese porcelain meiping vase decorated with an underglaze cobalt blue five-clawed dragon on a white background.
fig 3. An Exquisite Chinese Blue & White 'Five-clawed Dragon' Meiping Vase Guangxu Period C 1895

Specifications:

Height: 25.5 cm

Material: Fine Chinese Porcelain

Condition: Excellent antique condition, showcasing a smooth glaze and crisp underglaze blue decoration (see photos for detail).

Period: Late Qing Dynasty, Guangxu Period (1875–1908).

fig 4. A Chinese porcelain meiping vase decorated with an underglaze cobalt blue five-clawed dragon on a white background.
fig 4. An Exquisite Chinese Blue & White 'Five-clawed Dragon' Meiping Vase Guangxu Period C 1895

Collector's Note: This vase is a perfect example of the late 19th-century fascination with classical Ming and early Qing motifs. Its impressive size and the fierce movement of the dragon make it a standout decorative piece for any serious collector of Chinese ceramics.

Provenance: Private London, UK Collection since 1946

Height
25.5cm (10.04")
Date of Manufacture

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Chinese Dragon Meiping Vase to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1190926
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2025

Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sandbanks Antiques Profile Page

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A Chinese porcelain meiping vase decorated with an underglaze cobalt blue five-clawed dragon on a white background.
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Archive I A Chinese porcelain meiping vase decorated with an underglaze cobalt blue five-clawed dragon on a white background.

An Exquisite Chinese Blue & White 'Five-clawed Dragon' Meiping Vase Guangxu Period C 1895

Archive II A Chinese porcelain meiping vase decorated with an underglaze cobalt blue five-clawed dragon on a white background. View II
Archive III A Chinese porcelain meiping vase decorated with an underglaze cobalt blue five-clawed dragon on a white background. View III
Archive IV A Chinese porcelain meiping vase decorated with an underglaze cobalt blue five-clawed dragon on a white background. View IV
Archive V A Chinese porcelain meiping vase decorated with an underglaze cobalt blue five-clawed dragon on a white background. View V
Archive VI A Chinese porcelain meiping vase decorated with an underglaze cobalt blue five-clawed dragon on a white background. View VI
Archive VII A Chinese porcelain meiping vase decorated with an underglaze cobalt blue five-clawed dragon on a white background. View VII
Archive VIII A Chinese porcelain meiping vase decorated with an underglaze cobalt blue five-clawed dragon on a white background. View VIII
Archive IX A Chinese porcelain meiping vase decorated with an underglaze cobalt blue five-clawed dragon on a white background. View IX
Archive X A Chinese porcelain meiping vase decorated with an underglaze cobalt blue five-clawed dragon on a white background. View X
Archive XI A Chinese porcelain meiping vase decorated with an underglaze cobalt blue five-clawed dragon on a white background. View XI
Archive XII A Chinese porcelain meiping vase decorated with an underglaze cobalt blue five-clawed dragon on a white background. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07889 139677
Location
Sandbanks
Poole
Dorset
United Kingdom

By appointment only in Poole or London.
Verified Since Jan 2025
Items For Sale 177
Items Sold 79
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Verified Since Jan 2025
View Dealer Info
Location: Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom, , By appointment only in Poole or London.
Verified
Jan 2025
For Sale
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A Chinese porcelain meiping vase decorated with an underglaze cobalt blue five-clawed dragon on a white background.
An Exquisite Chinese Blue & White 'Five-Clawed Dragon' Meiping Vase Guangxu Period c 1895
Ref: SA1190926
A Chinese porcelain meiping vase decorated with an underglaze cobalt blue five-clawed dragon on a white background.
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Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

The meiping, or plum vase, developed during the Song Dynasty and is characterised by a narrow neck, small opening, and high rounded shoulders. Originally designed to hold single branches of plum blossom, the silhouette became a staple form for displaying underglaze cobalt blue decorations throughout the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

These vases were created using refined kaolin clay shaped on a potters wheel before being hand-painted with cobalt oxide pigment on the unbaked body. A clear glaze was applied over the painted decoration prior to a single high-temperature firing in a kiln, producing the blue decoration beneath a smooth protective glaze.

Guangxu period ceramics often feature bright cobalt blue underglaze tones and smooth white porcelain bodies. Authentication involves examining base marks, glaze texture, wear patterns along the foot rim, and the specific brushwork stylistic details of the imperial dragon motifs.

A blue and white meiping vase serves as a focal point when placed on a dark wood sideboard, console table, or open bookshelf. Pairing the vessel with minimalist modern furniture or warm timber textures highlights the contrast between historical ceramic artistry and modern interior lines.

Dust the surface regularly with a soft, lint-free microfibre cloth or a gentle camel hair brush. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners and abrasive materials; if washing is necessary, use lukewarm water with a mild soap and dry thoroughly immediately afterwards.
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