Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Chinese Dragon Bottle Vase to the 18th Century.
The Rationale for Late 18th / Early 19th-Century Dating
Iron-Oxide Foot Rim Oxidation: The unglazed foot rim displays natural "firestone red" and warm buff oxidations where the raw porcelain paste reacted with the kiln atmosphere during firing, confirming traditional, high-temperature imperial kiln working rather than modern synthetic staining.
Cobalt Depth and Integration: The rich underglaze blue pigment shows authentic historical depth, sinking softly into a luminous, slightly undulating cover glaze instead of sitting flatly on the surface like modern transfers.
Hand-Painted Brushwork Control: The dynamic energy of the five-clawed feiyulong and the fluid precision of the base seal mark reflect confident, master-level studio execution consistent with peak imperial revival workshops following the high Qianlong era.
Substantial Heft and Proportions: At 43 cm high and weighing 2.265 kg, the vase exhibits the classic, balanced wall thickness of traditional hand-thrown porcelain, avoiding the lightweight fragility or unnatural density characteristic of later 19th-century trade copies.
Specifications
Object Type: Bottle Vase (Yuhuchunping)
Period: Qing Dynasty, Late 18th / Early 19th Century (Qianlong / Jiaqing Period)
Height: 43 cm
Weight: 2,265 g (2.265 kg)
Base Mark: Six-character underglaze blue seal mark
Condition: Pristine gallery condition; confirmed free of any chips, hairlines, cracks, or restoration under intensive UV light inspection
Provenance: The G S. May Esquire Private Collection, London
Media & Video Note:
Please note that the accompanying video sequence was captured under uncalibrated display lighting, resulting in a slightly darker and underexposed rendering of the porcelain. The high-resolution static photography accurately represents the true, vibrant cobalt blue underglaze tones, crisp white ground, and luminous glaze clarity of the vase in person. Additional high-definition media and live video inspection are available upon request.
Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Chinese Dragon Bottle Vase to the 18th Century.
Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sandbanks Antiques Profile Page
A Magnificent and Large Chinese Blue and White 'Five-clawed Dragon' Bottle Vase (Yuhuchunping)
