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I have a very interesting Chinese vase, and seek help in its identification.

At first glance, it looks like it just came from a Garden Center. However on closer examination, it gets very interesting.

In size, its about 30 inches tall, and weighs 50-60 pounds.

It is made from a buff colored stoneware.

Its shape is an unusual squat double gourd form, with a wide mouth, and tall foot rim. The closest similar shapes I've found are Neolithic examples.

It is covered by an amazing glaze, which is glass smooth to the touch. Very few, if any burst bubbles or blebs.

There are a few unglazed spots on the side. I hope to show a picture of one below. These unglazed spots suggest it was glazed only once. For example, if it were glazed more than once (as is in Shiwan examples of this glaze), then I would expect these unglazed areas to have been covered by at least one of the glazes.

The mineral deposits on the inside of the foot rim, are similar to those found in items which have been placed in tombs for a very long time.

The foot rim base is very smooth, consistent with age.

There are some glaze chips to the outside footrim edge. Some of these have been patched with a redder colored material (clay type).

It sits on an old wood base. Hopefully I will be able to show pictures of the base. The base has a raised carved boarder. This boarder has been reduced from the inside, to accommodate this vase. The old repair to wood base, would have been done after the base was modified to fit this vase.

I'm hoping for the following.

1. Does anyone recognize the shape?

2. Does anyone recognize the glaze?

3. Does anyone know of another example?

Most of the obvious answers have already been ruled out.

Although I've been studying, collecting and dealing in antique Chinese Porcelain for a long time, this is the first time I've tried to post here, so please excuse me if it turns out a bit messy. I have 27 photographs, and I hope I can include them all, as I think they all contain small parts of this story.

Hello,

I am no expert, but have the feeling this vase/jar to be quite new. The general shape is weird (and rarely seen on such sized objects to my knowledge), the foot looks wrong and the glazing imitates what I would consider something near Robin's egg glaze, but with flaws and approximations.

Just an opinion, nothing of an expert's valuation.

Good luck finding out more!


Phil

I agree with Phil as to dating. Probably product of Guangzhou's Shiwan kilns, which have been producing much florist, garden and otherwise decorative to architectural ware.

The glaze does have some similarity with Junyao glaze, but without the subtlety of the old wares of 800 to 1000-year ago.

Modern Jun kilns also are producing non-traditional forms using glaze recipes inspired by the old wares but altered to be more garish and shiny.

Enjoy it as modern decorative product of China.

Good luck,
Cal

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