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We purchased this Dragon and Phoenix snuff bottle because it was just too darn cute (and it didn't cost much). It stands 2 7/8 inches tall. On the bottom is what looks like to me a crude Guang Zu mark meaning it was made circa 1900.

Does this date seem correct to you porcelain folk? It looks hand painted. Thoughts?

Thanks,
Stan

Hi Stan,

I think you're right and the mark reads "Guangxu nian zhi" but that doesn't mean it's of that period. I guess that more than 90% of marked pieces are made after the period the mark says. In this case I have even reasons to think about a Japanese origin. Let see what others have to say.

Regards,

Arjan

The dragon painting style is not 100% matching to a typical Guangxu dragon, and the phenix style is hard to see in the pic, But I don't see any problem to date it marks and period. There are probably someone will argue for republic period. Anyway this will made no difference in term of value in my humble opinion.

Stan the depiction of the dragon and phoenix isn't in keeping with the traditional style of painting that continued from the late Qing dynasty into the early 20th century. That bottle probably dates to the 3rd quarter of the 20th century or later and could have been produced somewhere other than the China Mainland. Best regards, Bill H.

Thanks for your input everyone.

We bought it because we thought it was cute and tossed it the case with all the other objects - some old, some new - some good, some not so.

I should stick with Japanese prints where I know more.

Cheers,
Stan

Hi Stan,

The dragon seems to have 3 claws. Most(later) Chinese dragons have 4 or 5 if emperial. Japanese mostly only 3. Thats why I was suggesting a possible Japanese origin.

Regards,

Arjan

p.s. Don't give up so soon.

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