estateRUTH.

Identification

Chinese Famille Rose Bottle Vase with Bird and Calligraphy, Apocryphal Kangxi Mark

Photo reference

5 uploaded photos

Overview

The vase features Famille Rose overglaze enamels depicting a bird, blossoms, and calligraphy, with stiff leaf and diaper borders at the shoulder.

Story

Produced during the late Qing Dynasty to the Republic Period (c. 1890-1949), a time of immense political and social change in China. Following the decline of the imperial kilns at Jingdezhen, private kilns began producing high-quality wares for the commercial market. These kilns frequently applied apocryphal marks of earlier, revered emperors (such as Kangxi or Qianlong) as a sign of respect for past golden ages and to increase the commercial appeal of the wares.

Maker / Origin

Unattributed

Condition & Value

The seller has only provided the height of the vase (6. 75 inches) with no condition report. For Chinese porcelain, value is highly dependent on pristine condition. The current valuation assumes the vase is free of cracks, chips, and restoration.

Full Research

See what it's actually worth.

Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

Market Analysis

The secondary market for late Qing and Republic period Chinese ceramics remains active, driven largely by domestic Chinese buyers repatriating art and Western collectors of decorative Asian arts. However, the market is highly stratified. Large, perfectly potted pieces or those signed by famous artists command heavy premiums, while smaller 'cabinet' vases with apocryphal reign marks trade as accessible decorative objects. Condition is paramount, and buyers heavily penalize even minor flaws.

Value Drivers

▲ Classic Famille Rose palette with highly commercial bird and blossom motifs

▲ Inclusion of calligraphy adds scholarly appeal compared to purely floral designs

▲ Apocryphal Kangxi mark confirms it as a desirable late Qing/Republic period commercial ware

Concerns

▼ Small cabinet size (6. 75 inches) severely limits upside compared to standard 16-inch auction comparables

▼ Unverified condition — any hairlines, rim chips, or UV-revealed restorations will cut the value by 50% or more

▼ Single vase — lacks the premium associated with a complete, matched pair

Best Venue

List the vase in a specialized Asian Arts catalog sale at a reputable regional auction house (e. g., Skinner, Hindman, or Eldred's) rather than a general estate sale. Prior to consignment, thoroughly inspect the rim and foot under a blacklight (UV) for hidden restorations, as auction houses will require a strict condition report.

Upside Potential

If the calligraphy translates to a known, desirable studio or artist from the Republic period (rather than a generic poem), the value could push toward the $1,000+ mark, similar to signed works by artists like Liu Yuceng.

Authenticity Risk

medium

The market for Republic period porcelain is heavily faked, with modern Jingdezhen reproductions frequently mimicking this exact style, complete with apocryphal marks. While the visual evidence strongly points to a genuine Republic-era piece based on enamel quality and foot rim characteristics, physical inspection of the glaze surface (for natural wear vs. acid-etched artificial aging) is recommended before a high-value sale.

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Also found — market-range context

Related comps outside the valuation band· 3 comps

Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.

  • Christie's
    A FAMILLE ROSE WATER POT AND A FAMILLE ROSE MINIATURE VASE, MEIPING
    Different forms (water pot and miniature meiping vase).
    $5,715
  • Bonhams· 2025-12-17
    A FAMILLE-ROSE 'CHRYSANTHEMUM AND CALLIGRAPHY' BOWL
    Different form (bowl instead of a bottle vase).
    $1,664
  • Millea Bros Ltd· 2026-02-19
    Chinese famille rose porcelain bottle vase
    Page excerpt indicates a completely different item (Southeast Asian buddha).
    $150