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Chinese Vases

Chinese vases today are most reputably made out of porcelain or other types of ceramic. They are made for a variety of reasons: to hold spices and food, to hold fish, and for decoration, among others. The process of creating Chinese porcelain vases is considered awe-inspiring, but impressive vases in the past were also made from bronze and jade.

Bronze vases were often created in historical China, as early as 1650 B.C., for rituals and burials. Many Chinese bronze vases as well as other bronze vessels were found in the burial sights of the royal and noble. While the process behind these rituals is not well-documented, bronze vases were likely used to hold water or foods that were meant to be sacrificed during a ceremony, and not for consumption.

Similarly, jade vases were not likely used to hold anything for consumption, and were not historically used for the purpose of holding flowers. Instead, these sorts of objects were beautifully carved and rendered for those who had passed away, with hopes of bringing good luck.


Quick Facts

  • Many ancient Chinese bronze vases contained a “mask” motif. This motif stemmed from early Neolithic bronze and jade art, and was repeated in subsequent bronze and jade vase forms as a guardian or god that links the living to their ancestors
  • A common decorative detail of jade vases were handles with rings looped around. These rings were often carved out to show the skill of the artisan, since the rings, handles, and vase body needed to be carved from one single jade block
  • Early Chinese bronze vases often featured feet, likely made to be put over a flame to heat contents during a ritual. The handles on these vases were also made so that the vessel could be easily lifted from the heat source

Recommended Items at Auction

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AN UNUSUAL BLUE AND WHITE CRACKLE-GLAZED 'FLORAL' VASE 19th century
Mar 10, 11:00 AM EDT
AN UNUSUAL BLUE AND WHITE CRACKLE-GLAZED 'FLORAL' VASE 19th century
by Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$2,0002 Bids
AN ELEGANT PALE BLUE-GLAZED GE-TYPE VASE 18th/19th century
Mar 10, 11:00 AM EDT
AN ELEGANT PALE BLUE-GLAZED GE-TYPE VASE 18th/19th century
by Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers
Est: $3,000- $5,000
$3,0002 Bids
AN ELEGANT GE-TYPE FANGHU-FORM VASE Late 18th – early 19th century
Mar 10, 11:00 AM EDT
AN ELEGANT GE-TYPE FANGHU-FORM VASE Late 18th – early 19th century
by Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers
Est: $4,000- $6,000
$4,0001 Bid
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A pair of jasper phoenix bird zun,Qing Dynasty,China
Aug 26, 10:00 AM EDT
A pair of jasper phoenix bird zun,Qing Dynasty,China
by Eldred's
Est: $5,000- $8,000
$5000 Bids
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A pair of jasper phoenix bird zun,Qing Dynasty,China
Aug 26, 10:00 AM EDT
A pair of jasper phoenix bird zun,Qing Dynasty,China
by Eldred's
Est: $5,000- $8,000
$5000 Bids
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A pair of jasper phoenix bird zun,Qing Dynasty,China
Aug 26, 10:00 AM EDT
A pair of jasper phoenix bird zun,Qing Dynasty,China
by Eldred's
Est: $5,000- $8,000
$5000 Bids
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A pair of jasper phoenix bird zun,Qing Dynasty,China
Aug 26, 10:00 AM EDT
A pair of jasper phoenix bird zun,Qing Dynasty,China
by Eldred's
Est: $5,000- $8,000
$5000 Bids
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Chinese Black Glaze Vase
Sep 20, 10:00 AM EDT
Chinese Black Glaze Vase
by Eldred's
Est: $50- $150
$250 Bids
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Chinese Stoneware Dragon Meiping Vase
Sep 20, 10:00 AM EDT
Chinese Stoneware Dragon Meiping Vase
by Eldred's
Est: $50- $150
$800 Bids
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Chinese Black Glaze Vase
Sep 20, 10:00 AM EDT
Chinese Black Glaze Vase
by Eldred's
Est: $50- $150
$250 Bids
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Chinese Stoneware Dragon Meiping Vase
Sep 20, 10:00 AM EDT
Chinese Stoneware Dragon Meiping Vase
by Eldred's
Est: $50- $150
$800 Bids
TWO SLIP-DECORATED 'PRUNUS' VASES Mid-Late Qing Dynasty
Mar 10, 11:00 AM EDT
TWO SLIP-DECORATED 'PRUNUS' VASES Mid-Late Qing Dynasty
by Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers
Est: $1,500- $2,000
$1,5000 Bids
TWO BLUE AND WHITE AND UNDERGLAZE-RED-DECORATED VASES First half 19th century
Mar 10, 11:00 AM EDT
TWO BLUE AND WHITE AND UNDERGLAZE-RED-DECORATED VASES First half 19th century
by Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers
Est: $2,500- $3,500
$2,5000 Bids
THREE MONOCHROME CRACKLE-GLAZED VASES Qing Dynasty
Mar 10, 11:00 AM EDT
THREE MONOCHROME CRACKLE-GLAZED VASES Qing Dynasty
by Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$2,0000 Bids
THREE MONOCHROME-GLAZED VESSELS 18th - early 19th century
Mar 10, 11:00 AM EDT
THREE MONOCHROME-GLAZED VESSELS 18th - early 19th century
by Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers
Est: $3,000- $3,500
$3,0000 Bids
AN UNUSUAL WHITE-GLAZED SOFT PASTE MOLDED 'DRAGONS AND LINGZHI' VASE 18th century
Mar 10, 11:00 AM EDT
AN UNUSUAL WHITE-GLAZED SOFT PASTE MOLDED 'DRAGONS AND LINGZHI' VASE 18th century
by Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers
Est: $1,000- $1,500
$1,0000 Bids
A TURQUOISE-GLAZED OVOID VASE 18th century
Mar 10, 11:00 AM EDT
A TURQUOISE-GLAZED OVOID VASE 18th century
by Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers
Est: $4,000- $6,000
$4,0000 Bids
AN AUBERGINE-GLAZED VASE 18th/19th century
Mar 10, 11:00 AM EDT
AN AUBERGINE-GLAZED VASE 18th/19th century
by Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers
Est: $4,000- $6,000
$4,0000 Bids
A FINE GUAN-TYPE HEXAGONAL TWO-HANDLED VASE Mid-Late Qing Dynasty
Mar 10, 11:00 AM EDT
A FINE GUAN-TYPE HEXAGONAL TWO-HANDLED VASE Mid-Late Qing Dynasty
by Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers
Est: $4,000- $6,000
$4,0000 Bids
A RARE IRON-RUST-GLAZED 'IMITATION BRONZE' VASE 18th century
Mar 10, 11:00 AM EDT
A RARE IRON-RUST-GLAZED 'IMITATION BRONZE' VASE 18th century
by Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers
Est: $8,000- $12,000
$8,0000 Bids
A RICH COPPER-RED-GLAZED GLOBULAR BOTTLE VASE 18th century
Mar 10, 11:00 AM EDT
A RICH COPPER-RED-GLAZED GLOBULAR BOTTLE VASE 18th century
by Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$2,0000 Bids
A FINELY CRACKLED GREEN-GLAZED BOTTLE VASE 18th century
Mar 10, 11:00 AM EDT
A FINELY CRACKLED GREEN-GLAZED BOTTLE VASE 18th century
by Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$2,0000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Chinese Vases


Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers

Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers

Eldred's

Eldred's

Asté Maison de ventes

Asté Maison de ventes