Preliminary identification
Photo reference
5 uploaded photos
Overview
This is a cylindrical Chinese blue and white porcelain scholar's brush pot (bitong) finely painted underglaze with a bustling riverside festival scene inspired by 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival'. The base features a four-character underglaze blue mark reading '保和堂製' (Bao He Tang Zhi - Made for/by the Baohe Hall).
Story
Zhang Zeduan painted the original Qingming scroll in the 12th century, capturing daily Song dynasty street life. Here, a porcelain artist translated that masterpiece into cobalt blue on a scholar's desk accessory.
Maker / Origin
The mark 'Bao He Tang Zhi' (保和堂製, Hall of Preserved Harmony) is a studio/hall mark used on fine Chinese porcelain, frequently appearing on quality scholarly wares produced in Jingdezhen from the late Qing dynasty through the 20th century.
Condition & Value
Appears to be in very good overall condition with no obvious chips, cracks, or restorations visible in photos. The unglazed foot rim shows typical minor shelf wear and surface discoloration consistent with handling.
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Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.