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This appears to have a glass (?) bead, raised surface that's very striking. I fell in love with it and bought it in a shop alongside an auctioneers but they knew zero about it - if anyone could shed any light on it I'd love to know :) Many thanks!

Presuming the piece is porcelain, it would appear to be an example of "Coralene", which was a commercial name associated with the process used to fuse the design to the surface of your vase. All of my experience has been with Japanese examples that were made in the late 19th century and called "Sharkskin" ceramics. However, your vase looks like it may be Chinese from the style of the motif. I can't read the longer verse, but to the left of the birds and flowers is a four-character Chinese wish for Riches, Honors and Long Life. If there's a mark on the bottom, it might help to clarify where and when your vase was made.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Bill, thank you so much for taking the time to let me know. There are no marks either within nor on the bottom - still, it's a striking vase and I like the sound of sharkskin.. :)

Here are some views of a Japanese "sharkskin" vase with decoration of ducks. About nine inches tall. The glass beading is quite fine. Looks more like satin glass from a distance. This one has a monopoly patent mark owned by an entrepreneur named Takeuchi Chubei and dated circa the 1880s.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Thank you Bill, that's truly a remarkable object. Have been reading up on Coralene and sharkskins on this forum and elsewhere, if nothing else it has certainly opened my eyes to an area of which I knew nothing. I will stay on the lookout for something quite as impressive as that beautiful Japanese vase!

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