Topic: Can anyone ID this chinese looking dove vase?

[wiggy131]

Hi everyone,
                 can I have your expert opinion on this dove vase. I thought it has the look of a Martin Brothers?? But there is no signature on the base. The base colour looks like it has some age to it maybe late Victorian???
Thanks again
Vickie

[keith]

Certain it's not Martin brothers otherwise not a clue,sorry,
                                                        Keith.

[Mosquito]

Hi Vickie,

Your vase could be quite an interesting find. It's a little hard to tell as it's a slightly unusual piece. Based on the form and decoration I'm fairly certain that it's Chinese in origin.

Regarding date, it's very difficult to say - many styles have been made for centuries, and there are some very convincing fakes around, including older fakes/ repros dating from the Guangxu and Republic periods.

Looking at the palette used, and the apparently white consistent paste of the body, it could be Kangxi period. Don't get excited though, I am quite uncertain about this piece as I've never seen this decor before, and some features look a bit unfamiliar to me. I'll have a look through my books tomorrow & see if I can find anything similar.

Either way, it's an intriguing item.

btw. What are the dimensions? Can you post more pics showing the rim and interior and close-ups of the overglaze enamels, including the black background on the main panel?

Steven

[wiggy131]

Hi Steven
              Thanks for your reply, I din't know anyone had answered, so sorry for not getting back to you sooner!

The measurements are 7 inches tall, 7.3 inches approx accross including handles and 2 & 3/4 inches in width.
Here are some closeups and I'll a post some more!
Thanks
Vickie
 

[wiggy131]

More pictures Steven!

[Mosquito]

Thanks for the extra pictures - they seem to have clarified a number of issues.

I now say definitely not Chinese. I thought from the first set of photos (especially the base pic) that the body of the vase was a fine white paste porcelain. Looking at your new close-ups, however it seems that it's actually a brown earthenware body covered with an opaque tin glaze.

Your vase is therefore a type of Faience or Maiolica ware copying an oriental style. I wouldn't know where it was made as these wares are outside my area of interest, but I do know that a lot of tin glazed wares come from Italy and other countries around the Mediterranean. It's still an interesting vase and looks to have some age - hopefully someone else with more knowledge of these wares will be able to add more.

[keith]

I'm sure I've seen something like this before,think Steven is on the right track.

[keith]

Just noticed your vase on another forum,one I use sometimes,Bill and Cal know there stuff when it comes to the oriental market,
                                Keith.