Overview
A classic baluster-form porcelain vase featuring the 'cracked ice and plum blossom' motif, complete with its original lid topped by a hand-molded guardian lion finial.
1Identify
Preliminary identification
Chinese Blue and White 'Prunus' Baluster Vase, c. 1880–1910
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Story
The late 1800s saw a 'China Mania' sweep through Western high society, fueled by the Aesthetic Movement and figures like Oscar Wilde who famously claimed to find it 'hard to live up to' his blue and white china.
Maker / Origin
This vase was birthed in Jingdezhen, the 'Porcelain Capital' of the world, where kilns have burned for over a millennium.
Condition & Value
The vase shows a significant chip on the unglazed foot rim, which is common for pieces of this age that have been moved frequently. Value is driven by the presence of the original lid and the enduring popularity of the Prunus pattern.
Research
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