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Underglaze blue and copper red vase

by Mr Keith Harris
(Jersey, United Kingdom)

This is a fine underglaze blue and copper red vase
of onion form..... It is very finely painted almost purple blue line work looks as though it may have been painted with a single bristle brush

Comments for Underglaze blue and copper red vase

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Vase by: Keith
by: Anonymous

I can assure you that the blue on this vase is hand painted, and as you so rightly say, you have to handle the item to be sure of this....
Its a beaut whatever century its from....!
Underglaze blue, underglaze red
by: Snap

Both underglaze blue and underglaze red have different sources and different exact chemical constituents over years. Will have different degrees of iron, manganese and other components, and will produce different effects and color developed in kiln.

Agree with Peter that base not look old and is not in 18th-century form that vase seems to emulate in some other ways.

Style and theme of painting look modern, with scene imitate painter's idea of 17th-century or 18th-century, which could be attempt-copied from print or painting.

Neither in Ming nor in Qing Dynasty was underglaze-red used this way.

Combination of elements that hark to different eras (a pastiche) is message that vase is quite modern.
vase
by: peter

My comment regarding the bottom not looking old means that the glaze of the bottom does look to哦 fresh. From when do you think this is?

I'm afraid, with these pictures nothing can be seen for sure. Usually, for any inspection there would be closeup pictures required. Close enough to recognize brush strokes and any blemishes in the glaze.
What concerns the red color. In antiques the underglaze red was usually applied by brush or other utensils, this one looks as if it was applied with a "new" method. There is always space for variations, but I feel also that the tone of the red is not the "old" type of mineral pigment but possibly a newer chemical pigment.
You should be able to detect much more with a hands-on inspection and a good magnifier.

If you find a scientific test that is affordable for this type of item, I would be interested to know. The lowest I'm aware of currently costs about USD400-500. :-)
You could try asianart.com to see what they say.
vase by: keith harris
by: Keith

Thanks for your comment....
Opinions are fine, but it's just as well there are tests that can be carried out to ascertain an objects true age....
Also, undeglaze copper red can never look old because it is painted "underglaze", unlike overglaze iron red decoration which because it is
painted "overglaze" can deteriorate and therefore age to look old......
vase
by: peter

The first impression I have is that it is 20th century. A closeup of some parts of the decoration may help, but the bottom also doesn't look as if it were antique. I have some doubts regarding the red color being very old.

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